'Hong Myung-bo's Successor' Attracts Overseas Attention; Portugal Responds to Bento's Support... UK Says "South Korea Likely to Want Swift Appointment"

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

With former coach Hong Myung-bo stepping down, the international community is closely watching the issue of who will lead the South Korean national football team next. Portugal has responded regarding Paulo Bento's application for the position.

Sebastião Sosa Pinto, who reports on Portuguese football transfer market news, stated on the 7th (Korea time) via his social networking service (SNS): "Coach Paulo Bento has expressed his intention to take over as the South Korean national team coach again following Hong Myung-bo's resignation." He added, "Bento is currently not managing any team and is ready to take on a new project."

Previously, this newspaper's StarNews reported on the 6th under the headline "[Exclusive] Coach Paulo Bento Applies for Next South Korean National Team Head Coach Position." Multiple sources familiar with the national team situation told StarNews that Coach Bento had applied for the next head coach position. Based on our comprehensive reporting, it has been confirmed that some foreign coaches, including Coach Bento, are showing interest in the South Korean national team head coach position.

Coach Paulo Bento, who holds Portuguese nationality, is a former head coach who led the South Korean national team. He commanded the team from 2018 to 2022. Known as the longest-serving coach of the South Korean national team, Coach Bento achieved significant results during his tenure. He led the team to victory in the 2019 East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) E-1 Championship and guided South Korea to the Round of 16 at the 2022 Qatar World Cup. This was South Korea's first appearance in the Round of 16 since the 2010 South Africa tournament, 12 years later.

However, Coach Bento and South Korean football parted ways as their contract expired following the Qatar World Cup.

Thereafter, Coach Bento took charge of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) national team in July 2023, continuing his coaching career on the Asian stage. However, he was dismissed in March 2025 amid poor results during the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian third qualifying round. He has yet to find a new team since then.

Before taking charge of the South Korean national team, he coached Chongqing Dangdai Lifan (China), Olympiacos (Greece), Cruzeiro (Brazil), the Portugal national team, and Sporting CP (Portugal).

Under former coach Hong's leadership, South Korea suffered a historic disaster at this North America World Cup, finishing in the worst-ever position of "34th place overall." When they were drawn into Group A alongside host nation Mexico, Czech Republic, and South Africa, there was an assessment that it was a group worth competing in. However, the result was one win and two losses, placing third in Group A. In particular, South Korea lost 0-1 to South Africa in the final group stage match of the Round of 32, where a draw would have secured second place in Group A and advancement to the Round of 32. It was a fatal defeat.

This tournament allowed not only the top two teams from each group but also the eight best-performing third-placed teams among the 12 third-place finishers to advance to the Round of 32. However, South Korea finished only 10th in the third-place rankings. Ultimately, South Korea concluded its North America World Cup journey without even reaching the tournament stage. After it was confirmed that former coach Hong's team would be eliminated from the group stage, he held a press conference and announced his resignation.

As the national team seeks a new head coach, names of several candidates are being mentioned. Coach Kim Ki-dong, who leads FC Seoul in K League 1, and Coach Yoon Jeong-hwan of Incheon United were mentioned as potential candidates. However, both coaches showed cautious reactions to rumors of their appointment to the Mo Du (CEO) team.

Coach Kim Ki-dong stated on the 5th, shortly after the 16th round of K League 1 against Incheon: "Even if an opportunity arises, I have no intention of taking charge immediately." On the same day, Coach Yoon Jeong-hwan also drew a line, saying, "I am grateful, but I still lack much. The national team coach position has always been a dream, but my current position is not yet at that stage." Amidst this, the possibility of former coach Bento returning to the national team has emerged as a new variable.

South Korean football does not have much time. Although the North America World Cup ended regretfully, the 2027 AFC Asian Cup will be held in Saudi Arabia next January. The time available to reorganize the team and prepare for the Asian Cup is extremely tight.

For this reason, British media also focused on South Korea's issue of appointing a successor coach. TalkSport UK stated: "South Korea is likely to want a swift appointment to find Hong Myung-bo's successor. South Korea faces another major tournament in six months," adding that it is "the Asian Cup to be held immediately in Saudi Arabia." The search for Hong Myung-bo's successor has become an issue of interest not only domestically but also overseas.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original