Hong Myung-bo, the newly named head coach of the Korean men’s national football team, is the ideal fit for the job given his tactical philosophy and leadership skills, the sport’s top technical official said Monday.
Lee Lim-saeng, technical director for the Korea Football Association (KFA), detailed the reasons behind Hong’s appointment at a press conference, less than 24 hours after the 55-year-old tactician was announced as the new bench boss for the senior men’s squad.
Hong, who previously coached Korea from 2013 to 2014, is signed through the 2027 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup, which will run from January to February that year in Saudi Arabia. His tenure will begin with the third round of the Asian World Cup qualifying tournament in September.
The top men’s coaching position had been vacant since the KFA fired Jurgen Klinsmann on Feb. 16, in the aftermath of Korea’s elimination in the semifinals of the Asian Cup.
Lee said Hong had been one of three finalists, along with two foreign nationals, and beat them out thanks to his wealth of experience and proven leadership.
In particular, Lee cited Hong’s success with Ulsan HD FC, the two-time defending champions in the K League 1, using the kind of tactics that could bring out the best in the national team. That Hong had previously coached under-20 and under-23 national teams and had also worked in an administrative role for the national team was also a big plus, Lee added.
“Based on last year’s data, Ulsan played an efficient brand of football,” Lee said, noting that the club ranked first in the K League 1 in buildup and intensity of pressing but 10th among the 12 teams in distances covered. “Argentina won the 추천 2022 World Cup in Qatar despite being near the bottom in distances covered. I think that is a lesson for Korean football.”
To further bolster Hong’s tactical brilliance, Lee said he asked Hong to take on at least two assistant coaches from Europe.
“He accepted that,” Lee added. “If we can combine Hong’s experience and knowledge with those of European coaches, it can only help with connectivity between the senior team and underage national teams.”
As for Hong’s previous national team coaching stints, Lee said, “His experience with underage national teams and his broad knowledge of the technical and administrative sides of football will help him ensure continuity and connectivity between national teams.”
Lee also reserved high praise for Hong’s leadership skills. Hong has long been known as a no-nonsense, charismatic type of leader who is able to push the right buttons when handling strong personalities in the locker room.
“I felt his team-first mentality is what the national team needs at this point,” Lee said. “He has outstanding abilities to build a cohesive team.”
