World Cup 2026: Resignations sweep through coaching ranks of eliminated teams

The 2026 World Cup is already marking the end of the road for several national team coaches, with a wave of resignations following early eliminations and disappointing performances.

Ronald Koeman of the Netherlands, Sebastián Beccacece of Ecuador, Hong Myung-bo of South Korea, and Miroslav Koubek of Czechia have all officially announced their departures. These decisions underscore the extreme pressure faced by managers on the World Cup stage.

The surprise elimination of the Netherlands in the Round of 16 against Morocco, decided by a penalty shootout, triggered a significant reaction. Facing criticism from the Dutch media, coach Ronald Koeman chose to end his tenure. "As a coach, you bear this responsibility," he stated on his Instagram account.

In Asia, South Korea also exited the competition earlier than anticipated. Coach Hong Myung-bo opted to step down after the group stage, a decision that prompted calls within South Korea's political circles for an investigation into the Football Federation's management. In Group A, the experienced Miroslav Koubek resigned as head of Czechia after a campaign that yielded only one point in three matches.

Ecuador also announced a change in direction. Following their elimination after a 2-0 defeat to Mexico, coach Sebastián Beccacece left his post. Despite the painful exit, the Argentinian expressed gratitude to his players and acknowledged the support received during his two years leading the team. While many coaches chose to resign, some federations opted for outright dismissals. Tunisia, for instance, parted ways with Sabri Lamouchi after a heavy opening defeat to Sweden, quickly replacing him with Hervé Renard.

The upcoming knockout stage matches are expected to further reshape the international coaching landscape as the competition progresses.

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As a coach, you bear this responsibility.