'Sudden Resignation' Hong Myung-bo: "The Reason I Took the South Korean National Team Head Coach Position Was That It Was Certainly Not an Easy Role..." [World Cup On-Site Issues]

*This content was translated by AI.

The end of responsibility for the World Cup failure was resignation. Head coach Hong Myung-bo reflected on his nearly two-year tenure as the head coach of the South Korean national football team.

On the 27th (local time), Head coach Hong Myung-bo held a press conference at Chivas Verde Valle, the 2026 FIFA North, Central America and Caribbean World Cup South Korean national team base camp located in Guadalajara, Sapoapan, Mexico, and officially announced his intention to resign.

Today's press conference proceeded solely with the release of Head coach Hong Myung-bo's statement, without any questions from the media. He stated, "I sincerely apologize to all the citizens who love and support South Korean football. Today, I wish to step down from the position of national team head coach."

He also honestly shared his feelings at the time of his appointment. Head coach Hong stated, "The position of national team head coach was certainly not an easy decision for me," and added, "But from the moment I decided to take on the role, I did not think of any other reason. I believed that fulfilling the responsibility entrusted to me until the end was my only duty."

Head coach Hong, who took office as the national team head coach in July 2024 and did not complete his term until the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, recalled, "For two years, I constantly asked myself, 'Was this choice a choice for South Korean football?' He added, "Whether making important decisions for the national team, selecting players, preparing for training, or playing matches, I never let go of that question."

This was the stance that all thoughts and actions were for the sake of Korean football. Head coach Hong emphasized, "I cannot say that all my judgments were always correct," but added, "However, the standard for all my judgments was always Korean football."

Furthermore, Head coach Hong stated, "I believe the position of head coach is one where one must take responsibility to such an extent that no explanation is needed in front of results. That is why I am standing here today to speak of responsibility rather than explanation." He also said, "I could not show the results that the citizens expected in this World Cup. The responsibility lies entirely with me, the head coach."

Bowing his head, Head coach Hong said, "I sincerely thank the players, coaching staff, support staff, and everyone who has silently and always dedicated themselves for the national team until the end." He concluded, "I am stepping down from the position of Oh Neul (CEO) team head coach. However, I am not stepping down from my heart for South Korean football. I sincerely hope that the South Korean national team will continue to grow into a team that can regain the trust and love of the citizens. Thank you." He finished reading his apology statement.

Before Head coach Hong Myung-bo's press conference, Park Hang-seo, head of the World Cup support team, bowed his head and said, "As the national team manager, I offer my deepest apologies to the Korean football community for failing to meet the people's expectations in the North, Central America and Caribbean World Cup."

Continuing, Manager Park stated, "The team, coaching staff, and support staff all did their best to prepare for the tournament, but ultimately failed to deliver results that repay the people's support." He added, "The Korea Football Association must prepare for the future again through reflection and introspection so that Korean football can start anew after overcoming this World Cup slump."

Furthermore, Manager Park said, "I thank all the football fans who gave their unwavering support during the tournament. I bow my head once again to apologize."

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*This content was translated by AI.