Hong Myung-bo has resigned as head coach of South Korea’s men’s national football team following their failure to progress to the World Cup knockout stage.
The team had hoped to secure a spot in the next round as one of the top third-placed teams, but this opportunity was not realized despite their efforts.
The unexpected elimination has drawn significant domestic criticism, with President Lee Jae-myung advocating for a formal investigation into the reasons behind the team’s underwhelming performance.
Hong expressed his regret to fans, acknowledging full responsibility for the team’s underperformance during his tenure.
Ranked 32nd in FIFA’s men’s rankings and led by star player Son Heung-min, South Korea achieved two losses and one win at the World Cup, finishing third in Group A behind Mexico (15th) and South Africa (60th).
Criticism intensified after their 1-0 loss to South Africa in their final group stage match on Thursday.
Announcing his resignation at a news conference in western Mexico, Hong stated, “we did not meet the expectations of our fans.”
“Though I am leaving the national team, I remain committed to Korean football,” Hong emphasized. “I will support the team wholeheartedly and hope they regain the public’s trust.”
The president described the outcome as “a failure of organization and personnel,” citing concerns over favoritism in the coaching selection process.
Hong’s initial appointment in 2024 faced backlash, with fans accusing the football association of prioritizing personal connections over qualified candidates. When he previously led the team in 2014, they failed to advance beyond the group stage without a single victory.
On Sunday, Hong reflected on his decision, acknowledging, “accepting this role was not an easy choice.” He reiterated that all decisions were made with the long-term interests of Korean football in mind.
South Korean authorities have increased security monitoring at Incheon Airport and other locations following an online death threat against Hong, reported by local media.”
