Former Taeguk Warriors manager Paulo Bento interested in returning: KFA sources

Paulo Bento, the former Korean national football team manager who took the Taeguk Warriors to the Round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, has reportedly expressed interest in returning to the vacant managerial position.

Bento recently conveyed his interest in the national team job through an acquaintance at the Korea Football Association (KFA), according to a source in the Association on Tuesday.

However, the former manager reportedly has not formally applied for the position as the KFA has yet to determine its hiring process for the next manager.

The association held a meeting on Friday to begin the search for a successor, following controversies and backlash from the fans surrounding the unclear managerial hiring process.

The position became vacant after former manager Hong Myung-bo stepped down for leading the Taeguk Warriors’ disappointing campaign at the FIFA World Cup 2026, where the team failed to advance to the round of 32.

Bento managed Korea for four years and four months, beginning in September 2018.  He holds the record for the longest tenure as national team manager in Korea.

He left the position after guiding the team to the round of 16 at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, without renewing his contract. After his departure, he took charge of the United Arab Emirates national team in July 2023 but left the position in May 2025.

He has not taken on an official post since.

BY KIM JI-HYE [[email protected]]