South Korean coach Hong Myung-bo resigned on Sunday after receiving harsh criticism from the president for his team’s early exit from the World Cup. The president called the coach “incompetent” and ordered a complete review of the national team’s program.
South Korea wins the first match vs. Czech Republiclost their next two Group A games. South Africa and Mexico.
South Korea had hoped to advance to the next round as one of the third-place teams to advance to this year’s expansion tournament. That situation ended on Saturday when Congo defeated Uzbekistan 3-1.
The team’s quick exit, which was expected to make a breakthrough, threw the national team program into turmoil and led to a harsh rebuke from President Lee Jae-myung. He directed sharp criticism at the coach.
“As a former honorary president of a professional football club, and deep down as a member of the Red Devils, I am not only surprised but deeply embarrassed by this unexpected outcome,” he said.
The president criticized the structure and coaching of the national team, as well as the initial appointment of coaches.
“This proves once again that personnel decisions determine everything. When loyalty and sectarianism are valued over ability, and when an incompetent person is appointed as a leader, the results are as predictable as fire,” the president said.
Mr. Hong, 57 years old; announced his resignation South Korea apologized to South Korean fans before leaving their base camp in Mexico, where they played all three group stage matches.
Hong Seung was on his second stint with the national team. He also served as manager at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where South Korea failed to advance through the group stage.
Coach Hong said, “I would like to sincerely apologize to the Korean people who love and support the national team.Today, I would like to announce that I will be stepping down as the national team coach.”
“As a head coach, no explanation can take precedence over the final result. I was not able to deliver the results that the people on the team expected. All responsibility lies with me,” Hong said. “Today, I am stepping down as the national team coach. However, my heart for Korean soccer remains unchanged. I will continue to support the Korean national team in order to regain the trust and love of the people.”
South Korea has been a fixture in 11 consecutive World Cup appearances, reaching the semi-finals when they co-hosted the 2002 tournament.
Mr Lee called on the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to reconsider the national team and its failures.
“We sincerely apologize for causing deep disappointment to the people due to this absurd situation. We will promptly work on sports administrative reform to prevent something like this from happening again,” Lee said.
___
See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here
