Hong Myung-bo's Departure Sparks Outrage: 'Even Amateur Soccer Clubs Get More Respect'

Hong Myung-bo, the former coach of the South Korean national football team, has stepped down following the team's elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. However, the manner of his resignation has ignited a firestorm of criticism from within and outside the football community.

South Korea finished third in Group A with one win and two losses, failing to secure a spot in the next round. This outcome was a significant blow, especially in the first World Cup to feature 48 teams.

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I was honestly dumbfounded.

During a press conference held on June 29 in Guadalajara, Mexico, Hong Myung-bo announced his departure. Instead of engaging in a question-and-answer session with reporters, he read a prepared statement and left the venue. This approach has been widely condemned.

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If you leave like that, you'd get cursed out even at a local amateur soccer club.

Football commentator Lee Joo-heon expressed his disbelief and strong disapproval on the YouTube channel "IsthaTV." "I was honestly dumbfounded," Lee stated, criticizing the way Hong read his resignation. "There's a rhythm to speech. When Hong read the important words 'I resign' so casually from a prepared statement, it felt incredibly dismissive." He added, "If you leave like that, you'd get cursed out even at a local amateur soccer club."

Lee further lambasted Hong's behavior, calling it "very arrogant" and questioning his conduct as a human being, not just a national team coach. "Did he not consider the repercussions when reading from an A4 paper? Was he being dismissive?" he questioned, expressing his profound disappointment.

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Did he not consider the repercussions when reading from an A4 paper? Was he being dismissive?

Park Jong-yoon, the broadcast host, also voiced his anger, labeling the event "not a press conference, but a statement announcement." He pointed out that live coverage was provided, yet no questions were allowed. "He was the coach of the South Korean national football team for two years," Park said. "The word choice, facial expression, and delivery method were all shocking."

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This is not a press conference, but a statement announcement.