South Korea’s national football team head coach Hong Myung-bo has resigned from his position. The decision came immediately after the team was eliminated from the 2026 World Cup in the group stage. His resignation follows heavy criticism from fans, the media, and even the country’s president, Lee Jae-myung.
The team’s early exit from the tournament, which was held in North America, sparked outrage across the country. Many people are now questioning the leadership of the Korea Football Association (KFA) and the process that brought Hong back to the head coach role.
World Cup Campaign Ends in Disappointment
South Korea entered the 2026 World Cup with high hopes. The team had a strong squad, including stars like Son Heung-min, Kim Min-jae, and Lee Kang-in. Many fans believed this “golden generation” could make a deep run in the tournament.
The campaign started well. South Korea won their first Group A match against the Czech Republic with a score of 2-1. However, things quickly went wrong. The team lost their next two matches against Mexico (0-1) and South Africa (0-1). These back-to-back losses put South Korea in third place in Group A. They were hoping to qualify for the knockout stage as one of the best third-placed teams. This hope ended when other match results went against them. The team finished the tournament in 34th place, a big disappointment for a nation that reached the semi-finals in 2002.
Head coach Hong Myung-bo spoke to reporters after the loss. He took full blame for the results.
“As the head coach, no explanation can supersede the ultimate result. I could not bring the result that our people had expected. All responsibilities are with me,” Hong said during his resignation announcement.
President Lee Jae-myung Calls for Investigation
The frustration with the team’s performance reached the highest level of government. President Lee Jae-myung publicly expressed his shock and anger. He called for a full investigation into why the team failed. He also directed the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to review the failures of the national team setup.
The president’s criticism was direct and strong. He pointed to the way Hong was appointed as a major reason for the failure. Lee stated, “When loyalty and factionalism are valued over competence, and an incapable person is appointed as a leader, the outcome is as predictable as fire.” He also apologized to the public for the “deep disappointment” caused by the team’s early exit. The president’s words added to the immense pressure on Hong to step down.
Controversy Over Hong’s Appointment
Hong Myung-bo’s resignation was not just about the results on the field. The controversy began long before the World Cup started, back in 2024 when he was appointed. Many fans and experts immediately questioned the decision.
This was Hong’s second time as head coach. He previously led the team at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. That campaign also ended in a group-stage exit without a single win. His reappointment was met with harsh uproar. Critics accused the KFA of favoritism. They claimed the association ignored qualified foreign candidates who had gone through a formal vetting process. The KFA’s National Team Power Reinforcement Committee reportedly had its recommendations bypassed by senior officials.
A football insider described the situation as a power struggle within the KFA. The controversy was so serious that police later launched an investigation. They looked into allegations that KFA President Chung Mong-gyu improperly pushed for Hong’s appointment without following official procedures.
The Seoul Administrative Court even ruled that the appointment process was unlawful. The court rejected the KFA’s attempt to overturn disciplinary action against Chung. This legal ruling added further legitimacy to the public’s complaints.
Fan Anger and Reactions at the Airport
The frustration of South Korean fans became very visible when the national team returned home. The squad arrived at Incheon International Airport, where they were met by angry supporters and heavy security.
The atmosphere was tense. More than 160 riot police officers were deployed to prevent any disturbances. Fans had gathered to protest. They booed and chanted “Hong out!” as the head coach walked through the arrival gate. Hong remained silent and did not answer any questions from reporters. One fan held up a banner that read, “South Korean football is dead.”
There was a clear difference in how fans treated the players compared to the coach. Supporters applauded players like Son Heung-min. They shouted encouragement to them. However, their anger was focused on Hong. Some fans questioned if his resignation was truly sincere. A fan named Kim Gi-mo told AFP, “He ruined this festival that only comes once every four years. I came here to see the person responsible for that.”
The anger against Hong was so extreme that he reportedly faced death threats. Police were monitoring security threats ahead of his return. Reports also claimed he was refused entry to some shops and restaurants because of the public backlash. A petition calling for his removal had already gained significant support before he officially resigned.
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Hong’s Legacy and the Future of Korean Football
Hong Myung-bo is a legend of South Korean football. As a player, he was the captain of the historic 2002 team that reached the World Cup semi-finals. He also guided the Olympic team to a bronze medal in 2012. But his record as a national team head coach is a different story. He now holds the record for the most World Cup defeats by a South Korean coach, with four losses. This marks the second time he has left the job after a disappointing World Cup.
In his resignation speech, Hong expressed deep regret. He said he accepted the job for a second time with a sense of duty and dedication to his country. He defended his decisions, saying they were always made with Korean football in mind. “I cannot say every decision was correct, but I made them with Korean football in mind,” he stated. He also promised to continue supporting the national team. “Even though I am leaving the national team, I am not abandoning Korean football,” he said.
His resignation highlights the deeper problems within Korean football. Many experts and fans say the system of appointing national team coaches is broken. The KFA has been criticized for failing to keep up with global football trends. The recent chaos has created a demand for major changes in the sport’s administration.
President Lee Jae-myung has promised swift reforms to sports administration. However, it is clear that Hong’s departure is just the start of a long process. The South Korean team must now find a new leader. More importantly, the country’s football authorities must rebuild trust with the fans after this disappointing chapter.
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