South Korea head coach Hong Myung-bo has stepped down following the national team’s disappointing group-stage exit from the FIFA World Cup and sharp criticism from President Lee Jae Myung, who described the coach as “incapable.”
The 57-year-old, a former South Korea captain serving his second spell in charge of the national team, oversaw another early World Cup elimination after failing to guide the side beyond the group stage.
South Korea had been widely expected to advance from Group A, which featured co-hosts Mexico, South Africa, and Czechia. However, defeats to South Africa and Mexico, both by 1-0 scorelines, left the Taeguk Warriors with just three points. Their only victory came in a 2-1 win over Czechia.
Speaking to reporters in Mexico, Hong reflected on his tenure, saying every major decision he made was driven by what he believed was best for Korean football.
“Over the past two years, whenever I had to make important decisions, select players, or prepare for training sessions and matches, I always asked myself: ‘Is this the right choice for Korean football?'” Hong said, according to Yonhap News Agency.
“I cannot say that every decision was the right one, but I can say that every decision was made with Korean football in mind.”
His resignation came just hours after President Lee Jae Myung publicly condemned the team’s performance, blaming poor leadership and apologising to the South Korean people.
“When loyalty and factionalism are valued over competence, and incompetent people are appointed to leadership positions, the outcome is all but inevitable,” Lee wrote in a post on X.
“I offer my deepest apologies to the public for the profound disappointment caused by this unacceptable outcome. We will move swiftly to reform sports administration to ensure that nothing like this happens again.”
The president did not elaborate on the reforms.
Meanwhile, South Korean police have heightened security measures following an online death threat targeting Hong ahead of his return home. According to local media, authorities are monitoring Incheon International Airport and other key locations to prevent any potential security incident.
