*This content was translated by AI.
Hong Myung-bo, the coach of the South Korean national football team, has ultimately departed in 'dishonor.' This comes about two years after his appointment amid controversies over fairness. On the 29th (Korea time), the day after South Korea's elimination from the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North, Central America and the Caribbean was confirmed, Hong held a press conference in Mexico and declared his resignation. From the outset of his tenure, he was engulfed in fairness controversies, and throughout his two-year journey, he failed to earn the support of fans. He left another stain on Korean football history, 12 years after the 2014 Brazil tournament. StarNews will look back on the two years of Hong Myung-bo's team, which were predicted to be a disaster, and examine the situation of Korean football, which is now inevitably facing a period of great chaos, in a three-part series. /Editor's note
With the voluntary resignation of coach Hong Myung-bo, the South Korean national football team now faces the immediate task of appointing a new head coach for the AFC Asian Cup, to be held next January in Saudi Arabia. This tournament, less than half a year away, is the second most important after the World Cup, as Korean football has not reached the summit since the 1960 tournament.
The contract between coach Hong Myung-bo and the Korea Football Association (KFA) extended not only to this CONCACAF Gold Cup but also to the Asian Cup next January. Until now, it was common for Korean football contracts to cover the World Cup. However, given the difficulty of preparing for the Asian Cup, held six months after the World Cup, under a new coaching system, Hong was exceptionally guaranteed a term extending to the Asian Cup. In the end, Hong left without completing his term. Korean football now faces the situation of needing to appoint a new coach to prepare for the Asian Cup and, further, the 2030 World Cup in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.
The problem is that even the Korea Football Association, which must appoint a new A-team head coach, is soon to face a 'leadership vacuum.' This is because Jeong Mong-gyu (Chairman) previously issued a statement on the 29th of last month, just before the World Cup opened, stating, "I intend to step down from the position of KFA president after this World Cup," expressing his intention to resign.
Jeong (Chairman), who successfully secured a fourth term through the KFA presidential election in February last year, plans to submit his resignation in the mid-next month after the World Cup concludes. Once Jeong Mong-gyu (Chairman)'s resignation is confirmed, the KFA bylaws require the election of a new president within 60 days. Until a new head of the KFA is appointed and a new personnel strengthening committee is formed, the selection process for the A-team head coach will inevitably come to a complete 'all-stop.'
However, this is not merely an issue concerning the A-team head coach and the KFA president. Tracing the causes of the poor performance and elimination in the CONCACAF Gold Cup backwards, we eventually arrive at the KFA system that made the appointment of coach Hong Myung-bo possible. This is why voices calling for extensive reforms not only at the top but also within the executive body and throughout the KFA are growing louder. It is becoming a problem not just of appointing the next A-team head coach, but of the Korean football administration itself, including the KFA.
Even the government is closely monitoring the situation of Korean football and the KFA. President Lee Jae-myung, on the 28th when South Korea's elimination from the Round of 32 was confirmed, stated, "I feel not just surprised but bewildered by the unexpected result. It has been proven that personnel matters are everything. If you select an incompetent person as a commander by prioritizing your own side over ability, the result is as clear as day." He added, "The failure to qualify for this World Cup, which left the people feeling empty, appears to be a failure of organization and personnel. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism should carefully look into the exact situation and causes of this incident, and devise measures to prevent recurrence and improve the situation."
In response, Choi Hwi-young, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, has announced a special audit of the KFA. Choi (Minister) stated, "To identify the source of Korea football's miserable failure and clarify the truth for the public, we will conduct a special audit of the Korea Football Association. We will also form an investigation committee including external experts to find the causes of the KFA's incompetence, negligence, and complacency. If any irregularities, misconduct, or illegal acts are found during this process, we will hold those responsible strictly accountable." He warned that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism had already conducted a specific audit of the KFA at the time of coach Hong's appointment, demanding severe sanctions against Jeong (Chairman) and others, and had been preparing for confrontation.
Ultimately, the disaster foretold since the appointment of coach Hong Myung-bo has led to a tragic reality of failure on the stage of this CONCACAF Gold Cup two years later. With coach Hong stepping down, the A-team, along with the leadership vacuum left by Jeong Mong-gyu (Chairman) departing the KFA, and the growing calls for comprehensive reform throughout the KFA, Korean football is inevitably heading toward a period of 'great chaos.' However, even if this chaotic period extends somewhat, it is crucial for Korean football to properly establish direction and prepare for the path it must take. If things do not change significantly from the past, Korean football will inevitably face the same problems. After the tragic failure of Hong Myung-bo's team, Korean football stands at a critical crossroads.
<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>
*This content was translated by AI.
