"Son Heung-min, why are you saying that?" Coach Hong Myung-bo's reprimand... Conflict between coach and captain in the locker room? Jin Jong-woo's shocking claim

*This content was translated by AI.

A claim has emerged that there was a conflict between former South Korean national team coach Hong Myung-bo and captain Son Heung-min (LAFC).

According to a report by KBS on the 2nd, Jin Jong-o (Rep.) confirmed through reliable sources that there was not only a conflict regarding an interview boycott but also a conflict between former coach Hong and Son Heung-min in the locker room.

Jin (Rep.) explained, "After the Mexico match ended, it is said that Son Heung-min was talking with players in the locker room. However, when former coach Hong Myung-bo came over and asked, 'What are you talking about right now?', Son Heung-min reportedly replied, 'I was talking to the players about the game.'"

Continuing, Jin (Rep.) claimed, "Former coach Hong said, 'Why are you saying that? I should be the one saying it,' and then told them, 'Everyone come out here.' We have verified the facts."

Jin (Rep.) viewed this incident not as an internal rift among players but as discord between the coach and some players. He pointed out, "It was not a conflict among players; rather, the discord between the coach and some players affected their poor performance."

In fact, former coach Hong excluded veteran players including Son Heung-min from the starting lineup for the final Group A match of the 2026 FIFA North American World Cup against South Africa. Representative team regular midfielder Lee Jae-sung (Mainz) also started the match from the bench.

In this tournament, South Korea was placed in Group A along with Mexico, Czechia, and South Africa. Being grouped with formidable opponents led to evaluations that their chances of advancing to the knockout stage were higher than in any other tournament.

The start was good. South Korea began the tournament on a high note with a 2-1 comeback victory against Czechia in the first match. Although they lost 0-1 to host nation Mexico in the second match, it was not the worst-case scenario.

At that time, South Korea could have advanced to the Round of 32 with just a draw against South Africa. However, former coach Hong threw a decisive move by excluding Son Heung-min and Lee Jae-sung from the starting lineup. The result was not favorable. Son Heung-min was substituted in immediately at the start of the second half but failed to create any scoring opportunities, while Lee Jae-sung did not play.

Ultimately, South Korea lost 0-1 to South Africa and accepted the worst possible outcome: elimination from the group stage.

After it was confirmed that South Korea had been eliminated from the group stage of the North American World Cup, former coach Hong announced his resignation, taking responsibility for the poor performance.

Controversy surrounding the Lee Hu (CEO) team during the tournament continues. In addition to the locker room conflict, claims were also raised that after an interview boycott during the North American World Cup, former coach Hong instructed the national team players to resume media interviews, but some players including Son Heung-min did not agree.

Jin (Rep.) pointed out a lack of cohesion within the squad regarding South Korea's poor performance. He stated, "There were parts where communication between the coach and players was not working, which affected their performance," and added, "A coach is supposed to be selected to guide players well, but the coach failed to do that."

However, it has been reported that the Korea Football Association refuted claims that Son Heung-min and Lee Jae-sung were excluded from the starting lineup due to conflicts with former coach Hong.

Former coach Hong, Son Heung-min, and Lee Jae-sung returned to South Korea via Incheon International Airport on separate schedules. Former coach Hong returned to Korea on June 30, while Son Heung-min and Lee Jae-sung returned on the 1st. It is reported that former coach Hong departed for the United States again just two days after his return.

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*This content was translated by AI.