A player who was a legend, but as a coach, he repeated the 'cruel history'... Japan also took note of Hong Myung-bo's lonely departure: "With Son and Lee Kang-in, they still failed to advance from the group stage"

*This content was translated by AI.

As a player, he was a legend of Korean football. But as a coach, he once again repeated the 'cruel history' of the World Cup. Japanese media also reported the news of voluntary resignation by Hong Myung-bo, head coach of the South Korean national football team.

On the 29th (Korea time), Japan's Nikkan Sports reported, "Hong Myung-bo, head coach of the South Korean national football team, which was eliminated from the group stage of the 2026 FIFA North, Central America and Caribbean World Cup, announced his resignation today."

On this day, Coach Hong held a press conference at Chivas Valle Verde in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, and announced his intention to resign voluntarily. Coach Hong's contract was set to last until the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, to be held in January next year. However, he was unable to complete his contract term and stepped down from his position.

South Korea delivered a disappointing performance at the North, Central America and Caribbean World Cup. In this tournament, South Korea was drawn into Group A along with Mexico, Czechia, and South Africa, and was generally assessed as having faced relatively manageable opponents. However, the result was one win and two losses (three points), finishing third in Group A. South Korea secured a 2-1 comeback victory against Czechia in the first match, but subsequently lost 0-1 to both Mexico and South Africa in consecutive matches.

Especially in the final group stage match against South Africa, a draw would have been enough for South Korea to finish second in Group A and advance to the round of 32. However, South Korea collapsed without even achieving the minimum required result.

This tournament allowed not only the top two teams from each group but also the eight best-performing third-place teams among the 12 third-place teams to advance to the round of 32. However, South Korea finished only 10th in the third-place rankings. Ultimately, out of 48 teams, South Korea finished 34th overall, ending its World Cup journey in loneliness.

Nikkan Sports highlighted South Korea's elimination process alongside the news of Coach Hong's resignation. The media explained, "South Korea finished third in Group A of the North, Central America and Caribbean World Cup. A regulation was applied in this tournament allowing the top two teams from each group, plus eight third-place teams, to advance to the tournament. However, South Korea was surpassed in points and goal difference, confirming their elimination from the group stage."

The media continued, "Despite possessing talented players such as Son Heung-min (LAFC) and Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), South Korea failed to advance to the tournament, sparking widespread criticism in Korea. After it was confirmed that South Korea would be eliminated from the World Cup, President Lee Jae-myung of Korea criticized the situation with expressions such as 'beyond being surprised by an unexpected result, I am stunned,' and 'if you appoint an incompetent person as a commander, the result is as clear as day.'"

Earlier, President Lee stated on his SNS, "As a former honorary president of a professional football club and a spiritual Red Devil, I feel not just surprised but utterly bewildered by the unexpected result. The failure to qualify for the World Cup finals, which left the nation feeling empty, appears to be a failure of organization and personnel decisions."

President Lee further strongly criticized, "Once again, it has been proven that personnel decisions determine everything. If you prioritize your own side over ability and appoint an incompetent person as a commander, the result is as clear as day."

Coach Hong experienced another painful failure as a coach. Previously, Coach Hong also led the South Korean national team at the 2014 Brazil World Cup, but was eliminated in the group stage with one draw and two losses. His second World Cup challenge also ended in failure.

Nikkan Sports also introduced Coach Hong's playing career. The media reported, "Coach Hong is a former South Korean national team player who played as a defender and others. He played for Vissel Hiratsuka in Japan's J League from 1997 and for Kashiwa Reysol from 1999. He retired from active play in 2004."

The media continued, "Coach Hong led South Korea to its first-ever Olympic medal, a bronze, at the 2012 London Olympics, but was eliminated in the group stage at the 2014 Brazil World Cup. He returned as the national team coach after 10 years on the 10th, 2024. In this tournament, his second World Cup command, he was expected to have a strong chance of advancing to the round of 16 from Group A, but managed only three points and ultimately suffered another group stage elimination."

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*This content was translated by AI.