Coach Hong Myung-bo who repeatedly apologized and bowed his head "The goal is better than the round of 16 at the North-China World Cup, and Son Heung-min as captain" (Full Story)

Jul 29, 2024

The inauguration ceremony of Hong Myung-bo, the new coach of the national soccer team, was held in the multipurpose conference room of the Korea Football Association in Sinmun-ro, Seoul, on the 29th. Director Hong Myung-bo answers questions from reporters. Sinmun-ro =Song Jeong-heon, Reporter Song@sportschosun.com/2024.07.29/

The inauguration ceremony of Hong Myung-bo, the new coach of the national soccer team, was held in the multipurpose conference room of the Korea Football Association in Sinmun-ro, Seoul, on the 29th. Director Hong Myung-bo apologizes to fans first. Sinmun-ro =Song Jeong-heon, Reporter Song@sportschosun.com/2024.07.29/

The inauguration of the new A national team coach Hong Myung-bo was an apology, a performance, and a re-establishment of the Korean soccer system.

Hong held an inaugural press conference at the Korea Football Center in Shinmun-ro, Seoul on the 29th. On the 7th of the Korea Football Association (KFA), Hong Myung-bo, who was leading Ulsan HD, was appointed as the head coach of the A-team. In addition, the board of directors approved the appointment process of Hong on the 13th. Coach Hong, who led the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, took the helm of the A team for the first time in 10 years.

Hong went on a business trip to Europe on the 15th. He arrived in Spain and met with candidates for tactics and physical coaching to assist him. When it comes to foreign coaching staff, Hong said, `I'm very satisfied.' He has already said that the core of modern soccer is division of labor.

I checked their expertise. But negotiations are another matter. The Korea Football Association should untie the knot. Only then can Hong join them.

A meeting with the European Taegeuk Warriors, who were in the fog, was also held. Hong flew to London and communicated with Son Heung-min (Tottenham). The World Cup, in which Son Heung-min played for the first time, was the 2014 Brazil tournament led by head coach Hong. He was the youngest member of the A team at the time. When Son failed to advance to the round of 16, he shed tears of regret. Coach Hong, who could not speak of his pain, also held him warmly and promised the future.

Ten years have passed, and Son Heung-min is the center of the A team. Through communication with Son Heung-min, Hong drew a sketch of the New National Team. He then moved to Germany and met with Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich) and Lee Jae-sung (Mainz). He also went to Belgrade, Serbia, and met with Hwang In-beom of Tsurvena Zvezda and Seol Young-woo, who transferred last month as an apprentice when he was the head coach of Ulsan HD.

Coach Hong's contract period is until the Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia in January 2027. He will make his first appearance in the first round of the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 North-China World Cup against Palestine on September 5th.

-an inaugural address.

▶I wrote it down a little bit. I'll read my mind. Hello, I'm Hong Myung-bo, the coach of the Korean national soccer team. Before the press conference began, I am sorry for causing concern to the people over the past five months due to various controversies, and as a soccer player, I am sorry. Today, I am here with an endless sense of sorry and heavy responsibility for abandoning my promise to K League fans. In particular, I would like to ask for an apology and forgiveness from Ulsan HD fans who have supported me greatly. I was able to get back on my feet as a coach with the hot support and full support from Ulsan fans. Therefore, I would like to bow down once again and apologize for the loss of this choice to the fans (Greetings). I will ask Ulsan and K League fans for deep forgiveness, accept any reprimand and criticism, and humbly accept it. I think the only way to be forgiven by disappointed fans is for me to lead the growth and development of the Korean national soccer team in my place. I will take a greater responsibility with a sense of debt for the support you have sent so far.

First, let me briefly tell you why I decided to challenge the national team coach. On July 5, Lee Im-saeng, the technical director, came to my house and had a long conversation with him. At the meeting, the director asked me what I thought, explaining the Korean soccer technology philosophy presented by the Korea Football Association. I honestly talked about my thoughts such as the philosophy of soccer, the philosophy of running the national team, and the direction of the national team game related to the technical philosophy of Korean soccer. The director listened to my opinion and earnestly asked for the position of coach of the national team, and I accepted the offer after all night of consideration. Now, Korean soccer is in an important transition period. The four-year World Cup and Asian Cup performances are of course important, but it is time to establish a system for Korean soccer to grow and develop in the long term, centering on the national team. To this end, the Korea Football Association announced a strategy to strengthen the competitiveness of the national team, the "Made in Korea MIK Project", and through this, it is trying to establish the direction and system of Korean soccer in detail from a long-term perspective. I worked as a national team coach by age and experienced administration as an executive director. Through these experiences, we have learned how systematic youth systems and active youth discovery can develop greatly in the development of A national team and Korean soccer. After that, he returned to the field and worked as a K-League manager, experiencing the importance of the K-League. Based on these valuable experiences, we will build a national team that grows together with the K-League, the root of Korean soccer. Also, I will actively seek out young prospects who will become valuable assets in Korean soccer. For the future of Korean soccer, which the Korea Football Association wants to go in a developmental direction, Team A should play an important role in the lead. And this development of the A team will achieve positive interaction with the development of the K League and youth system. Understanding that part gave me a great sense of responsibility, and I decided to do everything I could for the development of Korean soccer, not personal greed. These were the most important internal motives for me to try again as the national team coach for the first time in 10 years. Dear soccer fans and people, Korean soccer is full of unprecedentedly great players right now. Therefore, the national team should catch both the results expressed in grades and the process of establishing a firm direction and system unique to Korean soccer. I will put everything I have into that success. I will humbly accept both many people's comments and stinging voices of criticism. I will listen to more in a humble manner, and I will do my part to keep Korean soccer moving forward.

Next, I will tell you my thoughts on the management and tactical direction of the national team. In the operation of the national team, three keywords are important: respect, dialogue, responsibility, and commitment. First of all, respect. In the future, the national team will build a team in a horizontal relationship, not a vertical relationship. Players should respect their staff, and staff should respect their players. It's the same between the players and the staff. At the same time, you need to clarify the lines you need to keep in your respective positions. Next is the conversation. Many risks arise from misunderstandings or lack of communication. If there is a problem, we will have a seamless conversation. As a coach, I also intend to share key information within the national team through dialogue with the players. Finally, responsibility and commitment. Opening up much of the national team's operations and sharing information means that we must fulfill our responsibilities and commitments accordingly. The players demand change, and if that's a good direction, I'll accept it with the coaching staff. That's how much players have to show their responsibility for that authority on the field. I will create a national team where these three spirits can be planted properly.

Also, I will tell you about the style of soccer that I want to pursue. I think basically it's important for us to take the lead control of the game while owning the ball. We will guide the flow of the game in line with our plans and strategies. Of course, there will be times when you have to bring changes that fit the situation depending on the other team or various variables. On a bigger stage, we may encounter an opponent who is difficult to play the game we want. But the purpose of ownership should be clear. Add forwardness and boldness to connect attack and defense. After all, possession is aimed at destroying the opponent. On the defensive side, we will be firmly prepared for the groundbreaking situation and the counter situation so as not to allow decisive opportunities for our opponents. However, we will keep the defensive time as short as possible and steal the ball as far away as possible from dangerous areas. More principles and responses are needed in defense to spend more time on offense. When attacking and defending, we will distribute efficient spaces in each region, prepare from training to what promises we will use patterns, and respond flexibly according to the situation. The 24 hours, the second day of training, are very important for the normal national team, not the World Cup or the Asian Cup, because of the short call-up. If the players who are playing the season call up based on FIFA regulations, they have three days to prepare before the game. One day is conditioning and the next 24 hours are given time to have game strategy and detail, and I think the key is how well the coaching staff prepares and shares those 24 hours with the players to demonstrate in real games. The urgent task right now is the third qualifying round for the World Cup, which starts in September. From then on, our coaching staff will use it as a thorough plan for 24 hours on any two days. We need to think strategically about the September or October games right now. Although the European leagues' early season status has not fully risen, we will also consider forming a player who can bring a certain victory as it is the final qualifying round for the World Cup where the result of victory is important above all else.

Finally, I will tell you the ultimate goal and value of the national team. Good performance in team sports often obscures the many risks that exist within the team. However, latent risks occur simultaneously in bad circumstances. And it grows out of control. Then, the organization will collapse in an instant. Soccer is a team sport. The crisis turns into an opportunity when each individual abandons their selfishness and small sacrifices and dedication gather. I think the national team should show the soccer and the people that they are breaking through such a difficult situation. As much as I receive a lot of attention, I will try as a coach to become a national team that can throw a positive topic into our society through a good role.

Dear soccer fans, I will go forward for the success of the Korean soccer team. We will live up to your expectations with success. I will always listen to the voices of criticism from soccer fans if it is for the national team. I understand very deeply that the voice comes from concerns toward the same goal of developing Korean soccer. I ask soccer fans to watch the changing national team and give a lot of support and support to the national team and our players. Thank you.

-What kind of conversation did you have with Son Heung-min about your goals for the North Korea-China World Cup.

▶It is time to start the final qualifying round. It is premature to talk about the results of the finals. The Korean national team's best performance in away games is advancing to the round of 16. I will try to improve my performance compared to the round of 16. I had a meeting with the players in Europe. I talked to all the players in the same form. First, I listened to the players' thoughts on desirable team management. I heard about what I want from the national team. I told the players some ways to run the team. There was an overall empathy. I expect it to be better than the first one when it is called up in September.

-Why did you change your mind. What kind of philosophy and vision did director Lee present.

▶The philosophy talked about by director Lee Im-saeng talked about MIK, the technical philosophy of Korean soccer, and the connection by age group with the national team. I told Director Lee exactly about the life and management plan of the national team that I have experienced so far. As you all know, I changed my mind after talking with director Lee Im-saeng, but I also coached the national team, and when I left the association as an executive director, I was heartbroken by a series of situations. It was a pity as I encountered the problems of the 2022 Qatar World Cup and this year's Asian Cup, and I started thinking about the need for my role. As I kept thinking, I thought someone should play a role. Even if it's not me, a better person can do it. But I decided because I thought it was my last job.

-How do you plan to break through the current mess.

▶It would have been nice to start with a lot of expectations, but on the contrary, I feel heavy to start amid concern and criticism. However, on the contrary, when I came here 10 years ago, I started with a lot of expectations and applause. The current criticism must be carried forward by us. I don't know when it will end, but I will always humbly accept it and lead the team.

-He left the team in the middle of the season talking about the importance of the K League. I heard that Lee Kang-in will appoint a coach during his Valencia days, but he plans to run the team centered on Lee Kang-in.

▶I have to carry it with me for the rest of my life to come out in the middle while coaching the K-League. Once again, I would like to apologize to the fans of the K League. I've never heard of coach Lee Kang-in before, and he's not even a candidate.

-How do you plan to organize the coaching staff.

▶I went there this time and interviewed the coaches three times. It was a very meaningful meeting. I've learned a lot. I could also see the current trends in Europe. It was a good time. There is a variable in negotiation. I understand that the first group has entered into negotiations. If it doesn't work, we have to move on for the second time. The conditions are conveyed with sincerity. They have the will, too. However, it is difficult to tell you because it has not been done in detail. It is expected to be good for the players when they come to Korea as a good contract.

-Have you heard anything about the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism audit.

▶I have never talked about that. It is the relationship between the association and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. In that regard, I think the association can faithfully explain it in its own way.

-I think it's different from the atmosphere that you're going to control with your charisma

▶That's who I am. I have an image that seems hard, but I like horizontal ones. Of course charisma is a characteristic I have, not everything. It's the same in Ulsan, but I like that atmosphere. I reflected it while I was a leader. What matters is that we are people who play team sports. The most important thing is the team. The results depend on cohesion. If you have a lot of talented players, you have a high chance of getting good results, but that's not all. There should also be the culture, spirit and identity of the team. Only when they fit together can they become a strong team. We do it together for about a month a year. It's not easy. The national team is also an ownerless team. New players may come in, and existing players may not be able to come in due to injuries. The owners of the national team are South Korea and fans. I'm also a person who comes and works at this time. I expect concern, but I don't like how it's run as a team that way.

The inauguration ceremony of Hong Myung-bo, the new coach of the national soccer team, was held in the multipurpose conference room of the Korea Football Association in Sinmun-ro, Seoul, on the 29th. Director Hong Myung-bo attended the inauguration ceremony. Sinmun-ro =Song Jeong-heon, Reporter Song@sportschosun.com/2024.07.29/

-How does the captain's team organize.

▶We don't have much time. It's hard to make a big difference to the team. Trust Son Heung-min as the team's captain. I will present the role that I have played so far. But it won't put the player under a lot of pressure. I'm going to share the pressure so that I can play better.

-Tactics, coaches interviewed in Europe. Is it because of my experience 10 years ago.

▶ The Korean coach made contact. It's the final stage. The division of coaching roles is important these days, whether it is a professional team or any team. It's a trend. The throw-in coach is also in Europe. Not only physical coaches, but also coaches that can be shared tactically, such as analysis parts, are important. But the most important thing is to create the harmony of these parts. I have my experience, and it's important to use those coaches. I don't do that because of 10 years ago. Of course, failure was also a good experience. Now a good experience, a bad experience. It is important to make use of it at this point. I will lead the team while strengthening what I can bring out harmony.

-Ten years ago, I said it was a failure. 'Loyalty' There were trials and errors such as soccer.

▶It failed 10 years ago. I was told that only the players I knew were picked 'human soccer' I admit that. At that time, only fragmented players were selected in the K League, so the team had no name value, but I didn't know any dedicated players. It is true that such situations as the selection of players who score goals have repeatedly failed to select players who are really helpful to the team. I lived in the K League for three and a half years. There is also a list of players that can be replaced, although not the main players of each team. There are names of players who can change the game. I personally think there is a lot of difference from 10 years ago.

The inauguration ceremony of Hong Myung-bo, the new coach of the national soccer team, was held in the multipurpose conference room of the Korea Football Association in Sinmun-ro, Seoul, on the 29th. Director Hong Myung-bo attended the inauguration ceremony. Sinmun-ro =Song Jeong-heon, Reporter Song@sportschosun.com/2024.07.29/

-What characteristics do you plan to select.

▶ If you ask which player you are going to pick, you have experienced this, but there is no player of any type. This national team is open at any time. Anyone with a good performance can come in. The team begins with the appointment of a new coach, but rather than the players bringing it with a new mind, the players who come in are comfortable, have a good few days, and do their best. The best way is to select players with good performance with flexibility.

-Tell me about the amount of the inaugural speech and the atmosphere of the European version of the interview.

▶8 sheets of A4 paper. While meeting with players in Europe this time, of course, there was also a player who met face-to-face for the first time. It's been a long time since I saw Son Heung-min, and the thing I didn't feel good about most was meeting Seol Young-woo, but it's really funny that he's going all the way to Serbia to meet Seol Young-woo. I was also very happy that the player told me that he was in a good mood because he became a European player. Obviously, these players didn't tell me everything, but what I can feel is that I want the coach to do this to the national team. I don't know exactly whether I think it's right or not, but when the national team is called up, I will apply it to the national team right away if I agree that the part you need is this part. Now the national team, some things never change. As for the team. Except for that, I will talk about what I feel through conversations with the players and apply it to the national team right away if it is necessary.

The inauguration ceremony of Hong Myung-bo, the new coach of the national soccer team, was held in the multipurpose conference room of the Korea Football Association in Sinmun-ro, Seoul, on the 29th. Director Hong Myung-bo after the inauguration ceremony. Sinmun-ro =Song Jeong-heon, Reporter Song@sportschosun.com/2024.07.29/

-How do you plan to communicate with national teams by age group.

▶This is a very important part. I've also been a director since I was 20, and there are some difficulties. For example, if the national team's tactics are used until the age of 20, there is no time to adapt to the tactics if a 20-year-old player shows good performance and skills. This is the advantage of being able to play in the national team. This problem will disappear if a 20-year-old is going to go through the age of 23 or will be on the A team right away, or if he always communicates about the controversy over overwork. It is a way for fast growth. It was an important process in the process of accepting the national team, and it was the part that I was most interested in. In this part, I run anywhere and watch it. It will help you with what you can help. That's the part I envied the most. I think it will be a big issue if you adapt by age group.

-Do you have any plans for a domestic interview.

▶The amount is too much to interview domestic fans. What I can do is watch the game and check the performance. Of course, I can contact players I know personally, but I have no confidence in making the national team. Interviews with Korean players are practically difficult. In the case of European players, other players who have not been able to meet will go and interview at some point.

-There is also a content that Chairman Chung Mong-gyu proposed the position of chairman of the essay. Was there any connection in the process of appointing the director.

▶The chairman made the proposal in July 2020. However, it is true that I said that I would like to go out on the field one more time than as chairman. There was no prior contact with the chairman this time. I decided after hearing about it through a conversation with the executive director Lee.

newsme@sportschosun.com