Ex-South Korea assistant coach João Aroso reflects on tenure, 'wins aren't always good, losses aren't always bad'

João Aroso, the former assistant coach of the South Korean national football team, has bid farewell to his role, reflecting on his two-year tenure with the team. In a message shared on Instagram, Aroso conveyed his gratitude to the Korea Football Association and head coach Hong Myung-bo, acknowledging the high standards that pushed him to grow as a coach.

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It's not that every win is good, and not every loss is bad. Sometimes the difference between success and failure is very small, and depends on small details or luck.

Aroso shared his perspective on performance, stating, "It's not that every win is good, and not every loss is bad." He elaborated that the difference between success and failure can be minuscule, often depending on minor details or luck. This sentiment comes after South Korea's disappointing performance in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, where they failed to advance past the group stage.

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I apologize to all the fans who always cheered us on. I am also very frustrated because the team's performance gave me the belief that we could do better in this tournament.

Expressing regret to the fans, Aroso admitted his own frustration, particularly given the team's progress in recent years. He described his time in Korea as a privilege, highlighting the nation's remarkable strength and the fighting spirit of its people. He noted that while there were challenging moments, his coaching experience, especially on the field, was filled with fantastic times.

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Looking back on the past two years, now that my two-year contract has ended, I look back on this experience as an opportunity to grow significantly as a coach thanks to the high standards required in the job.

His departure follows a period of controversy earlier in the year when Aroso suggested in a foreign media interview that the KFA desired a Korean coach to be the public face of the team during the World Cup. He later apologized for these remarks and requested the article's removal, which was subsequently done. Aroso joined the national team staff in July 2024, serving as assistant and tactical coach under Hong Myung-bo.

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Korea is a country with amazing strengths. The fighting spirit of the people transformed Korea from one of the poorest countries in 1953 to one of the most developed countries in the world today.