Hong Myung-bo has resigned as South Korea head coach following the team’s group-stage elimination from the World Cup, stepping down a day after the country’s president publicly condemned “incompetent people” running the sport.
The 57-year-old, who was serving his second spell in charge, announced his departure on Sunday after the national team finished bottom of Group A. South Korea suffered 1-0 defeats against South Africa and co-hosts Mexico either side of a 2-1 victory over Czechia, accumulating just three points when a draw in their final match would have secured progression.
Son Heung-min omission backfires
Hong’s fate was sealed by the decisive loss to South Africa, a match in which he controversially dropped captain Son Heung-min. The gamble proved costly as the team failed to secure the point they needed to advance, compounding the misery of a tournament that began with defeat against Mexico.
The early exit marks Hong’s second failure at a World Cup, having also overseen a group-stage departure in 2014. His appointment in July 2024 was met with supporter disapproval, with fans booing him during home matches prior to the tournament.
Presidential condemnation
The resignation came hours after South Korean president Lee Jae Myung issued a scathing statement on social media. “When loyalty and factionalism are valued over competence, and incompetent people are appointed to leadership positions, the outcome is all but inevitable,” he wrote, apologising to the nation for the “profound disappointment” and promising swift reform of sports administration.
Hong defended his record during his farewell press conference in Mexico. “Over the past two years I asked myself the same question whenever I had to make important decisions: ‘Is this the right choice for Korean football?'” he told reporters. “I can not say every decision has been the right one, but I can tell you that I have made every decision with Korean football in mind.”
The former national team captain pledged to remain a supporter. “I will cheer for the national team from the bottom of my heart and hope that the team will be trusted and loved by the people once again,” he said.
The Korea Football Association now faces the task of appointing a successor to rebuild confidence ahead of the next qualification cycle, with reform of the governing body’s structure expected to follow the president’s intervention.