Mr. Hong Myung-bo announced his farewell to the team at a press conference at the team's training ground in Zapopan, western Mexico.
The South Korean team ranked third in Group A, after winning the opening match against the Czech Republic and then losing to Mexico and South Africa. Especially the defeat against South Africa is a very disappointing result, because the African team is ranked lower than the South Korean team.
I sincerely apologize to the people who love Korean football and always support the national team. Today, I resign as head coach of the Korean national football team. Accepting this role has never been an easy decision for me. However, once I have made that decision, I do not consider any other reasons. I believe that my only task is to fulfill the assigned responsibility to the end," Mr. Hong Myung-bo shared.
Mr. Hong Myung-bo, 57 years old, has led the South Korean national team to win 15 matches, 5 draws and 6 defeats after taking office for the second time in 2024. His current contract is still valid until the end of the 2027 Asian Cup.
He also coached the national team in 2013 and 2014, after moving to coaching in 2009, ending his playing career with 136 caps for the Korean national team. He also coached the Korean national team at the 2014 World Cup and at that time the kimchi team was also eliminated in the group stage.
I did not meet public expectations. The responsibility entirely belongs to me," Mr. Hong Myung-bo emphasized.
Hong Myung-bo is the third coach to retire from the World Cup this year, after Sabri Lamouchi of Tunisia, who was sacked after only one match, and Steve Clarke of Scotland, who resigned after his team was eliminated.
Before Mr. Hong Myung-bo resigned, Korean public opinion expressed disappointment with the performance of the home team. In addition, they also called for a strong reform of the Korean Football Association (KFA).
