"Korea, once the poorest country in the world..." Foreign coach selected by Hong Myung-bo delivers an oddly out-of-place farewell message

*This content was translated by AI.

João Arroso (54, Portugal), former senior coach of the South Korean national football team whose tenure ended with the team's elimination in the group stage of the 2026 FIFA North America World Cup, has left a final farewell message to Korean football fans. However, the farewell message contained several oddly out-of-place remarks that left many puzzled.

Former senior coach Arroso wrote on his social media (SNS) on the 16th (Korea time), "I apologize to all the fans who have always supported us. I too was deeply frustrated by the results." He added, "The journey we built together as a team over two years gave me confidence that we could reach even higher in this tournament, which makes the outcome even more disappointing."

Continuing, former coach Arroso stated, "Looking back on my two-year contract period, this experience was a time that greatly helped me grow as a coach. Although there were personally very difficult moments, above all, spending time on the field playing the football I love most was truly wonderful." He also added, "I sincerely thank the Korea Football Association and Head Coach Hong Myung-bo for appointing me, and to all staff members who warmly welcomed me and helped me adapt to the new culture."

However, former coach Arroso also wrote, "Winning does not mean everything is good, and losing does not mean everything is bad," adding, "The difference between success and failure is extremely subtle, determined by small details or luck." This somewhat ambiguous statement can be interpreted as implying that the Korea national team's elimination in the group stage of the 2026 FIFA North America World Cup under Hong Myung-bo was simply a result of bad luck. Although the team did not advance past the group stage, it does not mean everything about Hong Myung-bo's team was poor — this can be seen as an explanation to that effect.

Furthermore, he unexpectedly remarked, "Korea has a truly excellent strength," adding, "The firm willpower of the Korean people transformed Korea — once one of the world's poorest countries in 1953 when the Korean War ended — into one of today's most developed nations." He then added, "Living and working in such South Korea was a great honor for me," which left fans surprised.

Coach Arroso began his coaching career in 2003 and experienced the Brazil World Cup stage as a coach for the Portugal national team in 2014, but has since failed to leave any significant coaching record. He served as head coach of the Portugal U-15 national team, Braga B-team coach, Morocco U-20 coach, senior coach at Vitória Guimarães, and technical director at FC Famalicão before joining Hong Myung-bo's staff in July 2024.

At that time, Head Coach Hong Myung-bo conducted a direct interview with Coach Arroso while in Europe and decided to bring him along. Then-Head Coach Hong stated through the Korea Football Association, "João Arroso, the tactical coach, is a proven coach who has guarded the field for a long time and has well understood global football trends. We expect him to support the operation of the Jeon Sul-ro (CEO) team with flexibility and proactivity reflecting these trends."

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*This content was translated by AI.