"National Team Coach Like an Elementary School Class President Election?"... Kim Young-kwang Also Criticizes the Korea Football Association

"Decisions Made Hastily Due to Lack of Systematic System"

Former national team goalkeeper Kim Young-kwang has directly criticized the Korea Football Association (KFA). Recently, the KFA appointed Ulsan Hyundai FC's head coach Hong Myung-bo as the head coach of the national football team, but the opaque process of the appointment has sparked fierce criticism from fans.

On the 16th, Kim Young-kwang uploaded a video titled "Those who have acted immorally, please step down" on his YouTube channel.

In the video, Kim discussed the controversy surrounding the KFA's appointment of Coach Hong. He began by saying, "I think many fans who are upset about the coaching appointment issue and other association matters have been hurt and disappointed."

He continued, "(Park) Joo-ho, in a way, took the lead in speaking out. As a senior, it was hard just to watch. Ji-sung hyung, Young-pyo hyung, Dong-guk hyung, Won-hee, they all have been making sincere statements," adding, "I think so too. I believe it must be done morally."

Former National Soccer Team Player Kim Young-kwang [Image Source=Kim Young-kwang YouTube Channel]

He said, "They say the decision was made by majority vote, but this is not like electing a class president in elementary school. Without changes to the system, things will continue the same way," adding, "I hope this opportunity will lead to a proper resolution."

He also stated, "Because there is no systematic process in place, they always end up rushing to find a coach," and "I believe that by thoroughly reviewing and narrowing down candidates and conducting interviews, they can find a truly suitable coach," questioning, "Was such a system really in place?"

When asked how he felt after Coach Hong's appointment, he said, "Personally, I like Coach Hong," but added, "This decision is very disappointing. Should he have accepted it? Why did he accept it? That’s what I felt. It was very regrettable."

Kim Young-kwang emphasized, "The national team coach represents South Korea," and said, "The appointment should have been made carefully and in a way that fans could accept. If a logical and systematic announcement had been made, it would have been understandable, but suddenly appointing Coach Hong creates a situation that even those who don’t know football find absurd."

Hong Myung-bo, newly appointed head coach of the South Korean national football team, is being interviewed by the press on the morning of the 15th before departing through Incheon International Airport to handle the appointment of foreign coaching staff to assist him.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

He stressed, "Those within the KFA themselves must know this. If anyone thinks they are not acting morally or that there is a problem at the root of this incident, they really should step down voluntarily."

Earlier, on the 8th, the KFA announced the appointment of Coach Hong as the next head coach of the national team. The KFA had been searching for a new coach for five months since the dismissal of former coach J?rgen Klinsmann in February.

However, controversy arose when Park Joo-ho, who served as a member of the Strengthening Committee five months ago, exposed procedural issues in the appointment process of Coach Hong. Former national team players such as Park Ji-sung, Lee Young-pyo, and Lee Chun-soo have also voiced criticism of the KFA, increasing concerns.

Meanwhile, on the 15th, Coach Hong departed for Spain to carry out national team-related duties, including the appointment of foreign coaches.