"South Korea's New National Team Coach Almost Certainly Gus Poyet" — Japanese Media Report Just One Day Before Document Deadline

*This content was translated by AI.

As the Korea Football Association proceeds with the selection of an interim head coach for the South Korean national football team through a public recruitment process, Japanese media reports indicate that former Jeonbuk manager Gus Poyet (59, Uruguay) is the most likely candidate.

Japanese sports outlet Sports Nippon reported on the 10th, citing multiple sources, that "Gus Poyet, who previously led Jeonbuk until last season, has been confirmed as the strongest contender for South Korea's new national team coach. Coach Poyet is expected to lead the South Korean national team from September to November this year and will oversee six A-match games."

The media added, "The Korea Football Association plans to complete the appointment of an interim coach by August. Poyet, who led Jeonbuk to a K League 1 title, is the most probable candidate. According to sources, his appointment as interim coach is almost certain."

Previously, the Korea Football Association closed the public recruitment application deadline for the Nam Da (CEO) team's interim coach at 5 p.m. on the 9th, yet a definitive report emerged just one day later from Japan — not even South Korea itself. Notably, the Korea Football Association has kept the number of applicants confidential, stating that premature disclosure "could affect future evaluation procedures and negotiations."

However, given multiple circumstances, it is difficult to deny that Coach Poyet remains a strong candidate. Poyet has already indicated through various interviews that he intends to apply for this public recruitment process even if the role is interim. Considering domestic and foreign coaching candidates who have either expressed interest or are rumored to be applying, Poyet stands out as the most prominent contender when factoring in his recent K League achievements and his existing ties to Korean football.

Poyet, who played for Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur during his playing career, began his coaching journey in 2009 as manager of Brighton & Hove Albion (both in England). He later managed Sunderland, Real Betis, Shanghai Shenhua, Bordeaux, and the Greece national team before joining Jeonbuk last year. Upon taking over a Jeonbuk side that had plummeted to 10th place in K League 1 and faced a promotion-relegation playoff, Poyet led the club to win both the K League 1 title and the Korea Cup — achieving the "double crown" — within his first season, earning recognition for his managerial abilities.

However, at the end of the season, Mauricio Tarico (Tanos, Argentina), the team's assistant coach, received an ambiguous disciplinary action on grounds of racism and was labeled a racist. In response, Coach Poyet stated, "Touching my coaching staff is equivalent to touching me. This decision makes it even harder for our squad to remain in Korea," and ultimately resigned after just one season. Following this, he signed a short-term contract with Saudi Arabia's Al-Khaleej for the 2025-2026 season before applying for the interim head coach position of the South Korean national team.

Through its board meeting last month, the Korea Football Association decided to conduct four A-match games during the September–October window and two additional A-match games in November under an interim coaching system. The association is currently proceeding with the public recruitment process. Applications were closed on the 9th, and a selection committee comprising some members of the association's team strengthening committee and external experts is expected to be formed later this week.

Next week, the suitability of submitted candidate documents will be reviewed, followed by online interviews. Based on the evaluation committee's assessment results, priority negotiation rankings will be determined before formal negotiations commence. It is reported that former manager Paulo Bento (Portugal), who had drawn significant attention, did not apply for this interim position. Meanwhile, the Korea Football Association plans to appoint a new permanent head coach — not an interim one — to lead the team at the AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia next January.

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*This content was translated by AI.