Hong Myung-bo, the head coach of the South Korean national football team, resigned following the team's elimination from the World Cup group stage, prompting a reevaluation of his past comments about star player Son Heung-min. Some football fans have accused the former coach of consistently undermining Son.
On June 29, comments made by Hong regarding Son began circulating on online communities and social media.
The first notable incident occurred during the 2012 London Olympics when Hong excluded Son from the final roster, stating, "I don't know if Son Heung-min is doing well," and suggesting that while some players excel individually, others, like Son, sacrifice for the team.
Ahead of the 2014 Brazil World Cup, Hong maintained a similar stance. He remarked on Son's selection, saying, "I picked him because others said he was doing well. I will monitor his performance," and added, "The national team is not just for Son Heung-min; his playing time is not guaranteed. Opportunities will be given if he has strategic value."
Even after Son established himself as a key player for South Korean football, Hong's controversial remarks continued. In 2025, he raised the possibility of changing the team captain, stating, "I am constantly considering a captain change. It is crucial to make choices for the individual and the team. It could change or it might not."
During the 2026 North and Central America World Cup, Hong faced criticism again regarding Son's usage. After the match against Mexico, he explained Son's exclusion from the starting lineup, saying, "I thought it would be better to have a fresher player in the lineup." Following the game against South Africa, he added, "Considering the opponent's physical condition, I believed it was better for him to come on in the second half."
Particularly on social media, comparisons emerged between Hong, who was 33 during the 2002 World Cup, and Son, who turned 33 in 2026. Fans reacted to Hong's comment that Son was past the age to play a full match, questioning why different standards seemed to apply to Son compared to Hong's own experience.
As these comments have resurfaced, public sentiment online has soured further. Some users expressed, "It seems like jealousy and an inferiority complex are driving him to undermine Son," and questioned, "Shouldn't a coach find ways to maximize the potential of a world-class player?" Others remarked, "I find it hard to understand why he continues to undermine a much younger teammate," and suggested that rather than utilizing Son for the national team, he imposed restrictions on him.
Meanwhile, Hong Myung-bo stepped down from his role as head coach following the team's group stage exit in the North and Central America World Cup. His past management style, player selections, and interview comments have since been reevaluated, leading to ongoing discussions and criticisms among football fans regarding the overall management of the national team.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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