KFA Chairman Chung Mong-gyu expressed his position on the appointment of the head of the 'controversy over vacancies for six months' It will not be easy even if Ferguson comes'

Jul 05, 2024

photo courtesy of the Korea Football Association

Chung Mong-gyu, president of the Korea Football Association, has spoken out about the appointment of a new national team coach.

Chairman Chung met with reporters at the Korea Football Center in Cheonan on the 5th after the association hosted the 'Hanmaum Soccer Tournament' hosted by the association. "(In the end, the coach) has the most important ability to build a team," he said. I think they (coaching staff) will do well on their own in the tactical part. I also told the Power Reinforcement Committee not to talk to me in a way like 'Someone will do it' and 'Someone will do it'. What do we want, isn't it important to set it first and then adjust the procedural justification. I think it's very difficult to define what we need."

photo courtesy of the Korea Football Association

Korean soccer is having a chaotic time. South Korea dreamed of winning the Qatar Asian Cup earlier this year for the first time in 64 years. However, the challenge came to an end in the semifinals. There were even rumors of division within the team. I've made a decision. He ended his company with manager Jurgen Klinsmann, who had led the team. Since then, the Korea Football Association (KFA) has started to find a new head coach.

Jung Hae-sung, chairman of the KFA Competition Committee, was appointed as chairman of the Power Reinforcement Committee. Chairman Chung set the guidelines for appointment within May. The A-match in March was temporarily led by Hwang Sun-hong, then coach of the Olympic team. He has been speeding up his search for the head coach since April. Eleven candidates were selected through the fifth meeting of the Power Enhancement Committee. The final candidates have been decided in the eight-day march of six to seven countries. However, negotiations with Jesse Machi, the first coach, and Jesus Casas, the second coach, broke down. Former Ulsan coach Kim Do-hoon temporarily took the helm of the A match in June. The situation has deteriorated. Chairman Chung expressed his surprise resignation.

Under these circumstances, technical director Lee Im-saeng left for Europe to meet with foreign leaders who were shortlisted for the next director. Former Greek national team coach Gus Foyet and former Norwich City coach David Wagner have emerged as strong candidates.

Chairman Chung took his mouth off. He "I haven't been briefed yet. I believe it will go well. I heard that the director is working hard. Public opinion is likely to split 45 percent to 55 percent regardless of who is elected. No matter who does it, 55% of the opponents are likely to oppose it. I don't think I ever get to be (director) with 50% support. Former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson also said, "(It's not going to be easy.'

Hosted by the Korea Football Association, the Korea Professional Football Federation, Ulsan HD, and Pohang Steelers, and sponsored by six sports media companies, including sports clubs, sports trends, sports Seoul, sports world, sports shipbuilding, and daily sports, the "2024 Footballer Golf Tournament" was held at Gold CC in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province on the 3rd. Chung Mong-kyu, president of the Korea Football Association, is saying hello. Yongin= Reporter's wook@sportschosun.com/2024.06.03/

Meanwhile, the soccer tournament was held for KFA, construction company Dongbu Construction and Cheonan City Hall employees, and reporters as some of the grounds were completed as the basic construction of the soccer center, which is scheduled to open in June next year, progressed to some extent.

Chairman Chung, who was born in 1962 and is 62 years old, also wore the national team uniform and participated in the competition as a member of the KFA and played on the ground with his staff.

Chairman Chung said at the opening ceremony, `They are pouring out a lot of articles about the national team coach these days, and I think there will be time to explain this process or procedure in detail once (the coach) is selected later.'

The soccer center, which has a total area of 478,000㎡ (about 145,000 pyeong), is divided into areas handled by Cheonan City (363,000㎡, about 110,000 pyeong) and KFA (115,000㎡, about 35,000 pyeong). Some artificial turf grounds included in the Cheonan-si area have already been completed and opened. On the other hand, stadiums and training grounds, which are KFA's areas, are still under construction.

epi17@sportschosun.com