Hong Myung-bo resigns as Korea manager after leading the team to defeat at World Cup

GUADALAJARA, Mexico — Hong Myung-bo resigned as manager of the Korean men's national football team on Sunday after the team failed to reach the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 in North America.

The 57-year-old announced his resignation in a statement on Sunday at Chivas Verde Valle, the national team's training base in Zapopan, Mexico.

Hong was appointed national team manager in July 2024 and had been under contract through the AFC Asian Cup in January next year. However, he decided to step down as calls for accountability intensified, even from the political sphere.

"First of all, I sincerely apologize to the people of Korea who have always loved and supported Korean football," Hong said. "Today, I have decided to step down as head coach of the Korean national football team."

"This was never an easy decision for me," Hong said. "But from the moment I decided to take this job, I never considered any other option. I believed that fulfilling the responsibility entrusted to me until the very end was the only thing I was supposed to do."

"For the past two years, I constantly asked myself whether every decision I made was truly for the good of Korean football," Hong said. "Whether it was making important decisions for the national team, selecting players or preparing for training and matches. I cannot say every decision was right, but everything I did, I did with Korean football at the center of every judgment that I made."

Hong also accepted full responsibility for the team's disappointing performance.

"A manager is someone who bears responsibility for results to the point where no explanation is necessary," Hong said. "That is why I am here today, not to explain but to take responsibility. The disappointing results that fell short of the expectations of the Korean people and all responsibility belongs to me as manager."

"I thank the players, coaching staff, support staff and everyone who quietly devoted themselves to the national team until the very end," Hong said.

"Although I am stepping down as manager today, I am not giving up my commitment to Korean football," Hong said. "I sincerely hope our national team will once again become a team that earns the trust and love of the Korean people."

Hong did not take questions, reportedly out of concern that a press conference could create additional pressure on the players.

Despite being drawn into what was widely considered a favorable group and having a squad led by Son Heung-min, Lee Kang-in and Kim Min-jae, Korea was eliminated in the group stage. The team opened with a 2-1 comeback victory over the Czech Republic before losing 1-0 to co-host Mexico and suffering another 1-0 defeat to South Africa after a lackluster performance.

Hong's insistence on a three-man back line with wing-backs drew criticism for being overly defensive. Even while trailing, Korea frequently played backward passes and struggled to commit players into the penalty area. Leaving Son Heung-min and Lee Jae-sung out of the starting lineup against South Africa was also widely viewed as a costly mistake. Critics also pointed to the team's excessive focus on adapting to high-altitude conditions.

Korea ultimately finished 10th among the 12 third-place teams and failed to claim one of the eight places available in the Round of 32. Hong had also overseen Korea's group-stage exit at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, where the team finished with one draw and two losses, making this his second consecutive World Cup group-stage elimination as national team coach.

National team director Park Hang-seo also apologized.

"As director of the national team, I would like to apologize on behalf of the Korea Football Association for failing to meet the expectations of the Korean people at the World Cup," Park said. "Our players, coaches and support staff prepared with everything they had, but we failed to produce the results we wanted."

"I believe the Korea Football Association will undertake deep reflection and self-examination as we prepare for a new beginning for Korean football," Park said. "I thank the Korean people for their unwavering support throughout the tournament and once again bow my head down in sincere apology." 

Hong and the main contingent of the delegation, including Lee, Kim and six other players, will return to Korea through Incheon International Airport on Tuesday. It will be the first time since 2006 that the national team returns from a World Cup without an official homecoming event.

When Hong returned from the 2014 World Cup, angry fans threw yeot, or traditional Korean taffy, at the team. "Eat yeot" is commonly used in Korean as an insult. Public frustration is reportedly even greater this time.

BY PARK LIN [[email protected]]