'Coach Hong Myung-bo Appointed' 21 of 23 Board Members Approve... Football Association Faces Criticism Head-On

21 out of 23 Board Members Approve Written Resolution
Director Hong Travels to Europe to Interview Foreign Coach Candidates

Amid ongoing controversy over the appointment process of the national soccer team coach, the Korea Football Association announced on the 13th that it has officially appointed Hong Myung-bo as the head coach of the national soccer team.

On the afternoon of the 10th, Ulsan HD coach Hong Myung-bo, who has been appointed as the national soccer team coach, is leaving the stadium after greeting fans following the match against Gwangju FC at Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium. (Photo by Yonhap News)

The Football Association stated that regarding the appointment of Coach Hong Myung-bo, 21 out of 23 members approved the decision through a written resolution conducted from the 10th to the 12th during the 4th board meeting of 2024.

The written resolution is conducted when there is a long period before the next board meeting or in cases of personnel or urgent special matters.

Following the board's approval, Coach Hong officially began his duties as the head of the national team from that day. This marks his first time taking on the role of national team coach in 10 years since the 2014 Brazil World Cup.

Coach Hong will first begin assembling his coaching staff. He plans to travel to Europe to interview foreign coach candidates who can help analyze and understand the trends in world soccer.

At a briefing held on the 8th at the Football Hall in Jongno-gu, Seoul, explaining the appointment process of Coach Hong Myung-bo, Lee Im-saeng, the Technical Director of the Korea Football Association, stated that Coach Hong accepted the contract condition to have two European-origin coaches to complement tactical aspects.

Meanwhile, regarding the appointment process of Coach Hong, former Football Association Strengthening Committee member Park Joo-ho pointed out procedural issues on the 7th. Subsequently, former national team players who were active during the 2002 World Cup, such as Lee Young-pyo and Park Ji-sung, also raised concerns. Park Ji-sung, Technical Director of Jeonbuk Hyundai, commented on the demand for the resignation of Chung Mong-gyu, president of the Korea Football Association, saying, "It is a clear fact that it is a situation where he must make his own choice."