'Hands in pockets, insincere' Hong Myung-bo vs. '90-degree bow with tears' Moriyasu... A painful 'difference in attitude' controversy surpassing the disappointment of elimination: "Their dignity is on a different level"

*This content was translated by AI.

The final actions of the head coaches of the South Korean and Japanese national football teams, who were eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, stand in stark contrast. Hajime Moriyasu (58), head coach of the Japanese national team, bowed his head to the fans, while Hong Myung-bo (57), former head coach of the South Korean national team, sparked controversy over his attitude.

According to sports specialist ESPN on the 30th (Korean time), immediately after losing 2-1 in a comeback defeat against Brazil in the Round of 32 match held at a stadium in Houston, Texas, Coach Moriyasu bowed 90 degrees to the fans in the stands.

ESPN shared the photo on its official social media (SNS), praising it as "a display worthy of respect." Football fans also responded positively, saying, "He did not lose his dignity even in defeat."

With his contract expiring at the end of this tournament, Coach Moriyasu is currently being discussed as a potential candidate for reappointment in Japan.

In contrast, Coach Hong Myung-bo, who led the South Korean national team, found himself under scrutiny due to the attitude controversy that erupted after the early elimination from the North American World Cup.

Former Coach Hong Myung-bo, who was eliminated from the group stage with one win and two losses, held a resignation press conference on the 29th at the Guadalajara base camp in Mexico. However, after reading only a prepared statement, he refused to answer questions from the media and left the scene. Particularly, he was criticized for being captured with the statement crumpled in his back pants pocket and his hands stuffed into his pockets during his exit.

Furthermore, at Incheon International Airport on the 30th upon his return, Coach Hong Myung-bo remained silent in the face of a barrage of questions from the media and left the airport. At the time, he had to face harsh jeers from angry fans. Even in the early morning hours, fans gathered at the airport chanted "Hong Myung-bo, get out" and "Return your salary," expressing their anger.

Coach Hong Myung-bo made an ignominious departure after about two years in charge, having taken the helm amidst controversy over fairness in July 2024. Throughout his tenure, he failed to gain the support of fans and ultimately left quietly, leaving another painful stain on South Korean football history for the first time in 12 years since the 2014 Brazil tournament.

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*This content was translated by AI.