DistantNews
Support us
South Korea coach resigns after team's group stage exit
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Sports

South Korea coach resigns after team's group stage exit

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Hong Myung-Bo resigned as South Korea's football coach after the team's group stage elimination from the World Cup.
  • The team secured only three points, failing to advance to the knockout rounds.
  • The president has ordered a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the team's performance.

Hong Myung-Bo, the coach of the South Korean national football team, has resigned, accepting responsibility for the team's failure to advance beyond the group stage of the World Cup. The team finished third in Group A, behind Mexico and South Africa, accumulating only three points from their opening match against the Czech Republic. This result meant they did not qualify among the best third-placed teams for the round of 16.

Hong, a celebrated figure in Korean football history for his role in the team's 2002 World Cup semi-final run, had previously coached the team through the group stage exit in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. His decision to step down came as the team prepared to leave their base camp in Mexico.

As head coach, no explanation can replace the final result. I could not achieve the result our people expected. All responsibility rests with me.

— Hong Myung-BoHong Myung-Bo accepting responsibility for the team's World Cup performance.

"As head coach, no explanation can replace the final result. I could not achieve the result our people expected. All responsibility rests with me," Hong stated in his resignation announcement. He added, "Today, I resign from my post as national team coach. However, my passion for Korean football will remain intact. I will now support the national team to regain the trust and affection of our people."

In response to the disappointing performance, the president has called for a "thorough investigation" into the circumstances surrounding the team's elimination. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has been tasked with analyzing the causes and developing measures to prevent recurrence. "We will swiftly push forward reforms in sports administration to ensure something like this does not happen again," a statement read, highlighting the significant public funds and state resources invested in the World Cup participation.

Today, I resign from my post as national team coach. However, my passion for Korean football will remain intact. I will now support the national team to regain the trust and affection of our people.

— Hong Myung-BoHong Myung-Bo announcing his resignation and continued support for Korean football.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog