[Exclusive] Roberto Martinez, former Portugal coach, expresses interest in leading South Korea national team... competing with Bento and Postecoglou

*This content was translated by AI.

Following South Korea's elimination from the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean, the pool of candidates for the next head coach of the South Korean national football team is gradually becoming clearer. After Paulo Bento (Portugal), who led South Korea to the Round of 16 at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, Roberto Martinez (Spain), who most recently managed the Portugal national team, has also been confirmed to show interest in the position of head coach for the South Korean national team.

Several sources close to the national team's situation recently told StarNews that former Portugal national team coach Roberto Martinez has expressed interest in becoming the next head coach of the South Korean national team.

According to a comprehensive report by StarNews, multiple foreign coaches, including Bento, are showing interest in the position of head coach for the South Korean national team.

The role of head coach for the South Korean national team is currently vacant following the resignation of Hong Myung-bo immediately after the team's elimination from the group stage of the North American World Cup. The Korea Football Association (KFA) convened a Power Strengthening Committee on the 3rd, centered around Hyeon Yeong-min (Chairman), and has begun the process of appointing a new head coach.

Although the KFA is not currently conducting an official recruitment procedure for coaches, it has been reported that interest from foreign coaches is this significant.

Manager Martinez announced his sudden resignation immediately after Portugal lost 0-1 to Spain in the Round of 16 of the World Cup while leading the Portugal national team. In a post-match interview, he clearly stated his intention to resign: "I came to Portugal with the goal of winning the World Cup, and since we failed to achieve that, it makes no sense for me to continue holding the reins. My contract ends today."

Manager Martinez is a coach with experience in major leagues. After building his coaching career on the English Premier League (EPL) stage with clubs such as Wigan Athletic and Everton, he managed the Belgium national team from 2016 to 2022. He coached only the Belgium national team for 80 matches and also served as technical director, accumulating administrative experience.

He then took charge of the Portugal national team starting in 2023, achieving results such as winning the UEFA Nations League last year. However, he resigned immediately after the team's elimination from the Round of 16 at this World Cup.

In addition, former manager Gus Poyet (Uruguay), who has previously led European powerhouses including the Greece national team, Sunderland, and Bordeaux, is also reported to have expressed strong interest in the South Korean national team and plans to formally apply for the position.

Manager Poyet is already a figure whose abilities have been thoroughly proven to domestic football fans. He took charge of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, which had fallen to 10th place in the league and faced relegation playoffs, and transformed the team within just one year. Leading Jeonbuk, he achieved a double (winning two titles) by securing both the K League 1 championship and the Korea Cup title simultaneously, returning Jeonbuk to its position as an absolute powerhouse in the K League and fully proving his abilities.

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*This content was translated by AI.