Departing for Europe to Appoint Foreign Coaching Staff
"We Will Create a Unique Atmosphere for the Korean National Team," Emphasized
Hong Myung-bo, who officially took office as the head coach of the South Korean men's national soccer team, has departed for Europe to appoint foreign coaching staff. On the 15th, Coach Hong met with reporters at Incheon International Airport's departure hall and said, "The main purpose of this European trip is to appoint foreign coaches who will lead the South Korean soccer team for the next two and a half years." He added, "I decided to go personally because I thought it would be best for me, as the head coach, to directly hear and decide on their football philosophy, vision, and understanding of Korean soccer."
Hong Myung-bo, newly appointed head coach of the South Korean national football team, is giving an interview to the press on the 15th before departing through Incheon International Airport for duties related to appointing foreign coaching staff to assist him. [Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@]
He continued, "The core of modern football is specialization," adding, "My role is to subdivide the coaching staff and maximize their expertise. How we utilize the coaches is more important than which coaches we appoint." He further emphasized, "Many foreign coaches have come to Korea and worked here, but they have not been utilized efficiently. I will carefully coordinate with Korean coaches and think about how to proceed going forward."
When asked what kind of national team football he aims to pursue, Coach Hong replied, "The current national team does not have much time, so we cannot change everything from A to Z. The most important thing is to create a culture where players can join the team feeling comfortable and happy, and play football with a strong mindset."
In Response to Criticism from Juniors like Park Joo-ho: "Not Bad for Korean Football"
Hong Myung-bo, newly appointed head coach of the South Korean national football team, is giving an interview to the press on the 15th before departing through Incheon International Airport for duties related to appointing foreign coaching staff to assist him. [Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@]
Earlier, on the 7th, the Korea Football Association announced the appointment of Hong Myung-bo as the head coach of the national team ahead of the 2026 CONCACAF World Cup. Regarding the ongoing controversy surrounding the coach appointment process, Coach Hong said, "The most important thing in my mind is how to make the South Korean national team a strong and good team." He added, "I fully understand the concerns and expectations of many people, and I would appreciate it if many support my last challenge in life."
Regarding criticism from fellow footballers such as Park Joo-ho, Lee Young-pyo, and Park Ji-sung about the Korea Football Association's unreasonable administration, he said, "Regardless of senior-junior relationships, I think it is not bad to create an atmosphere where anyone can speak up for Korean football." He added, "The important thing is how we properly incorporate these opinions. We will reflect the good ideas well in the team."
Coach Hong emphasized, "Now that I am someone on the field and leading the national team, I will take these opinions well and reflect them in the team."
Meanwhile, amid controversy over the national team coach appointment process among soccer fans, a civic group filed a complaint against Chung Mong-gyu, chairman of the Korea Football Association, with the police. The civic group, the Committee for the Protection of the Common People’s Livelihood (Seominwi), announced on the 15th that they had reported Chairman Chung to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on charges of obstruction of business, breach of trust, and intimidation. In the complaint, Seominwi claimed, "Despite numerous opposing opinions, appointing Coach Hong Myung-bo through a written resolution of the board of directors constitutes obstruction of business by intimidation, and deciding Coach Hong’s salary without proper consultation constitutes breach of trust."
Furthermore, when former national team player Park Joo-ho, who served on the Korea Football Association’s National Team Strengthening Committee, exposed procedural issues in the coach appointment process, the association hinted at legal action. Regarding this, Seominwi said, "It is intimidation not only against Park Joo-ho but also against the public." They criticized, "We are appalled by the shamelessness of unilaterally appointing the coach without even informing the Strengthening Committee members."
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