On June 29, Hong addressed reporters at the team's training base in Chivas Valle Verde, Mexico, saying, "I sincerely apologize to the citizens who love Korean football and have always supported the national team. I wish to resign from my position as head coach of the South Korean national team."
He added, "The position of a coach cannot be justified by any explanation in the face of results. I stand here to take responsibility. I failed to deliver the results that the public expected, and that responsibility lies entirely with me."
Hong's resignation comes just 717 days after he was officially appointed as head coach on July 13, 2024. He did not complete his contract, which was set to run until the Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia in January 2027.
This situation mirrors the painful failure he experienced 12 years ago. After being appointed head coach on June 24, 2013, Hong led the team to a group stage exit in the 2014 Brazil World Cup (with one draw and two losses) and resigned after 382 days amid various controversies.
The reasons for this failure are strikingly similar to those from 12 years ago. During the 2014 tournament, Hong faced criticism for relying on players like Park Ju-young, who had limited playing time with their club teams, leading to accusations of favoritism. He also stuck rigidly to a 4-2-3-1 formation, lacking a viable 'Plan B' to address crises, which ultimately resulted in the team's early exit.
In this World Cup, similar issues arose. Controversies over player selection persisted throughout the tournament, and tactical flexibility was notably absent. Despite facing strong pressure and tailored strategies from opponents, Hong insisted on using a three-back formation without adapting to the circumstances. Critics argue that he failed to learn from the mistakes of 12 years ago.
While Hong accepted full responsibility for his resignation, the final results were dismal. South Korea finished the group stage with one win and two losses (third in Group A), marking their ninth group stage exit in World Cup history and their lowest-ever final ranking at 34th place.
With the coaching position now vacant, the Korean Football Association faces difficulties in taking swift action. Association President Chung Mong-kyu has announced plans to resign after the tournament, creating a leadership vacuum that hampers decisive action in appointing a new coach.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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