On June 29, Hong spoke to reporters at the team's training base in Chivas Verde Valle, Mexico, where he expressed his intention to step down. "I sincerely apologize to the public," he said. "I will resign as the national team coach, but my passion for South Korean soccer remains. I genuinely hope our team can grow into one that earns the trust and love of the people again."
Hong was appointed on July 8, 2024, with a contract set to last until the 2027 Asian Cup in January 2027. However, he has resigned six months early following the team's failure to reach the Round of 32 in the World Cup.
In the group stage, South Korea finished third in Group A with one win and two losses. In this expanded World Cup format featuring 48 teams, not only the top two teams from each group but also some third-place teams could advance. Unfortunately, South Korea did not secure a spot among the third-place teams, ending their tournament run without reaching the knockout stage. Expectations were high for the team, which included star players like Son Heung-min, Lee Kang-in, and Kim Min-jae, leading to heightened disappointment among fans.
Following the team's exit, reactions on online communities and social media included comments like, "It's shocking that this team couldn't even make it to the Round of 32," and, "Failing to reach the knockout stage in an expanded World Cup is a serious outcome."
Reactions to Hong's resignation were mixed. Many fans felt that taking responsibility for the results was a necessary step, with comments such as, "It's only natural to take responsibility for the results," and, "If the outcome is like this, it's more unusual to stay in the position." Others argued that simply resigning does not resolve all issues, stating, "If only the coach resigns and nothing changes, the same problems will occur again," and called for the Korea Football Association to explain how this situation arose.
Critics noted that the distrust in Hong's appointment had been building since the beginning. Online comments included, "Fans never accepted his appointment," and, "If the results had been good, the controversy would have subsided, but with this failure, accountability is unavoidable. The issue lies not just with the coach but with the system that allows such decisions to be repeated." Another user pointed out, "Korean soccer always changes the coach after failures, but this time we need to examine the selection process and the association's operations as well."
Criticism of the team's performance was also strong. Fans felt that South Korea's play did not meet expectations, with comments like, "The team's overall quality was low compared to the individual talents," and, "We were unprepared compared to our opponents." Some noted, "The bench's decisions were too slow at crucial moments," while others remarked, "Our attack was frustrating, and our defense was shaky," and, "There was no visible plan that could work at the World Cup level."
Hong's press conference style also disappointed some fans. Given that it was a resignation announcement, many expected a responsible explanation and a Q&A session, but responses indicated a lack of sufficient clarification. Online comments included, "It wasn't just about announcing his resignation," and, "What fans want to know is why we failed," with calls for more detailed explanations regarding tactical failures and player selections. Another user added, "While it's necessary to say he takes responsibility, how he accepts that responsibility is also important."
There were also calls to refrain from excessive criticism of the players. Some fans said, "The players must feel more disappointed than anyone," and, "Let's not leave malicious comments for those who played for the national team," emphasizing that criticism should be directed at the leadership and the system rather than attacking individual players. With discussions about the possibility of veteran players like Son Heung-min ending their World Cup journeys, many expressed regret, saying, "I wish I could have seen these players for a longer time," and, "It feels disappointing that we couldn't make the most of this talented generation."
This situation has reignited criticism of the Korea Football Association. Online users stated, "The association's responsibility is more important than the coach's resignation," and, "The criteria for selecting a coach should be made transparent," arguing that for South Korean soccer to improve, administrative changes are necessary. Some pointed out, "What matters more than who takes over as coach is the criteria used for selection," and, "If there is no process that fans can accept, distrust will continue even with a new coach."
Other users viewed this failure as indicative of a larger issue beyond just one World Cup. Comments included, "Korean soccer repeats the same narrative after every major tournament," and, "After a failure, the coach resigns, and once public opinion settles, a similar appointment is made again; this vicious cycle must be broken," with calls for structural changes. Fans collectively called for comprehensive reforms in team management, youth development, coaching appointments, and the decision-making structure of the association.
Ultimately, the core of this controversy is clear. Hong Myung-bo's resignation marks not the end of the crisis in South Korean soccer, but rather the beginning. The failure to advance to the Round of 32 is already a reality, and fans' disappointment is unlikely to fade quickly. The remaining challenge is how to accept this failure and what changes will be implemented moving forward. Users are demanding, "We must abandon the notion that simply changing the coach will suffice," and, "This time, things must genuinely change," insisting that South Korean soccer needs to restore trust with its fans.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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