Posted explanation on the homepage on the 22nd
Some view the explanation as an 'own goal'
Following the appointment of coach Hong Myung-bo, criticism from juniors in the football community continued, and even Hong’s wife left a message asking fans to forgive him, prolonging the controversy. Amid this, the Korea Football Association (KFA) issued an explanation regarding Hong’s appointment. However, this explanation seems to have further fueled the controversy. When examined point by point, it essentially admits that Hong’s appointment was a 'special favor,' leading some to label the explanation as an 'own goal.'
Criticism from junior figures in the football community continued following the appointment of Coach Hong Myung-bo, and even Coach Hong's wife posted a message asking fans to forgive him, as the controversy persisted. Amid this, the Korea Football Association issued an explanation regarding Coach Hong's appointment. However, this explanation seems to have further fueled the controversy. [Photo by Yonhap News]
On the 22nd, the KFA posted a lengthy article titled 'Q&A on the National Team Coach Appointment Process' on its website. After facing fierce criticism from inside and outside the football community following Hong’s appointment, and with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism stepping in to review the KFA’s national team coach appointment process, the association hurriedly issued an explanation. In the post, the KFA disclosed a series of procedures related to the coach appointment. It began by stating that there was no issue with Technical Director Lee Im-saeng taking over duties after the resignation of the Head of the Strengthening Committee, clarified that Hong was not selected through a free pass, and listed reasons for the breakdown with a prominent foreign coach candidate.
Previously, Hong had repeatedly stated that he had no intention of taking the national team coach position while leading Ulsan Hyundai (Ulsan HD). The association also mentioned this, saying, "There was a possibility that the meeting itself might not be arranged." This revealed that although the KFA secretly considered Hong as the next head coach, they had no choice but to skip necessary procedures due to Hong’s statements. Despite Hong’s declaration that he would not take the national team coach role, the KFA never intended to exclude him from consideration. Some online communities and netizens pointed out that this was tantamount to admitting that Hong was preselected and given special treatment.
Fans Demand Voluntary Resignation of KFA Executives Over Absurd Explanation
According to the KFA’s explanation of Hong’s appointment process, after Hong initially declined, Technical Director Lee Im-saeng unexpectedly met with him and succeeded in persuading him within just two hours. The 'two-hour meeting' was explicitly stated in the KFA’s explanation. Football fans are particularly unable to accept that the KFA decided on a candidate after only two hours of discussion, despite searching worldwide for five months without finding a suitable person.
Lee Im-saeng, Technical Director General of the Korea Football Association, is briefing on the appointment of Hong Myung-bo, Ulsan HD coach, as the next national team manager at the Korea Football Association meeting room in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 8th. [Photo by Yonhap News]
The KFA stated, "If a coach and their agent come well-prepared with materials, it can be seen as enthusiasm and sincerity, but that alone is not proof of their ability and competitiveness as a national team coach," and disclosed materials submitted by foreign coaches who were final candidates. Coach A submitted 22 pages of documents and 16 videos of national team matches, while Coach B submitted a 16-page PowerPoint presentation including the cover.
However, in the explanation, the KFA said such procedures were unnecessary for Hong. The association explained, "From the first meeting of the Strengthening Committee, the members were well aware of the philosophies and careers of domestic coaches, so they did not request such materials. From the beginning, Hong was the top domestic coaching candidate," adding, "Hong led Ulsan HD for four years, achieving two consecutive K League 1 championships. The committee members agreed that if they were to select a domestic coach, Hong should be chosen."
Furthermore, the KFA offered a somewhat defensive explanation, saying, "Applying the same interview method, asking and demanding the exact same things from every candidate when selecting a national team coach may not be the best approach." In response, some netizens raised another suspicion, asking, "Did KFA staff also get hired in this way?"
On the 10th, at Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium, during the professional football Hana Bank K League 1 2024 match between Ulsan HD and Gwangju FC, Ulsan HD fans displayed banners criticizing Coach Hong Myung-bo, who was appointed as the national team coach, and the Korea Football Association. [Photo by Yonhap News]
In response to the KFA’s absurd explanation, the domestic football gallery on DC Inside finally exploded, issuing a statement strongly demanding the immediate resignation of KFA Chairman Chung Mong-gyu, Coach Hong, and Director Lee Im-saeng. They also warned that if this demand is not met, they would not hesitate to take collective action. They raised their voices, saying, "Football fans are so devastated and enraged that they cannot listen to the association’s delusional remarks any longer."
They continued, "All members of the domestic football gallery strongly urge Chairman Chung, Director Lee, and Coach Hong, who have brought the 'Articles of Incorporation of the Korea Football Association' and the 'Football Charter' to the point of being untrustworthy, to voluntarily resign immediately. Should they refuse, we solemnly warn that it will lead to collective action and cause international embarrassment."
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