"Most Attractive Among Korean Soccer Coach Candidates": Javier Aguirre, the "Teacher of Lee Kang-in," Gaining More Attention Locally Amid Reports of His Appointment

*This content was translated by AI.

As names of foreign coaches continue to be mentioned as successors to former South Korea national team head coach Hong Myung-bo, reports of Javier Aguirre (68, Mexico), the former Mexico head coach, taking over the role are also drawing significant attention in Mexico.

On the 11th (Korea time), Mexican media outlet TV Azteca reported, "It is understood that Coach Aguirre, who stepped down as Mexico's national team manager after their elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America in the Round of 16, has already attracted interest from other national teams." The report added, "According to multiple sources, Coach Aguirre is among the candidates for the next head coach position of the Korea Football Association."

The media stated, "South Korea is launching a new project with the goal of the 2030 World Cup, and Coach Aguirre has emerged as one of the most attractive candidates." It further added, "According to reports, the Korea Football Association plans to contact Coach Aguirre within the next few days to confirm his stance on the offer for the South Korea national team head coach position."

Previously, it was confirmed that former South Korea national team head coach Paulo Bento (Portugal) and former Portugal national team head coach Roberto Martinez (Spain) showed interest in joining the South Korea national team, marking the emergence of another foreign coach candidate being discussed locally. Coach Aguirre is a veteran manager who has been coaching since 1995.

Interest in the possibility of Coach Aguirre's appointment stems from his particularly deep connection with Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain). They formed a mentor-mentee bond when Lee Kang-in played for Mallorca in Spain. In particular, during the 2022–2023 season, Lee Kang-in delivered outstanding performances under Coach Aguirre's system, scoring six goals and providing six assists in Spain's La Liga. Thanks to this performance, he was able to transfer to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). The key factor may be that he is the manager who knows best how to utilize Lee Kang-in.

Even after ending their connection with Mallorca following Lee Kang-in's transfer and Coach Aguirre's resignation, they have demonstrated a strong friendship. Immediately after the Group A second-round match of the North American World Cup held in Guadalajara, Mexico last month, Coach Aguirre said, "I love Lee Kang-in like family and have cared for him for a long time. He is a very lovely friend whom I raised almost like my own child." He added, "When he approached me on the field, I jokingly said I wanted to give him a good slap out of joy. I also asked him what his hairstyle was. He had put in a very impressive bridge."

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*This content was translated by AI.