'A4 Eight Scenes' Coach Hong Myung-bo"I'm sorry to K-League fans, and I'll also listen to criticism."

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 attended the inauguration ceremony. 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 his fans. Sinmun-ro =Song Jeong-heon, Reporter Song@sportschosun.com/2024.07.29/

"I'll listen carefully"

This is what Hong Myung-bo, coach of the South Korean national football team, said. Coach Hong held an inaugural press conference at the Korea Football Center in Sinmun-ro, Seoul on the 29th. He delivered his inauguration speech before the press conference.

Director Hong "I've written 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 as one of the soccer players for causing concern to the people over the past five months due to various controversies. I'm here because I feel sorry for betraying my promise to K League fans. I would like to ask Ulsan fans for their apologies and forgiveness. I was able to get back on my feet as a coach thanks to the hot support and full support from Ulsan fans. So I bow down once again and apologize for the huge disappointment this choice has caused the fans." We will ask Ulsan and K League fans for their deep forgiveness, accept any rebuke and criticism, and humbly accept it. I think being forgiven by disappointed fans is what drives growth in my place. We will work here with a greater sense of responsibility with a sense of debt and a greater sense of responsibility for your support so far," he added.

Coach Hong explained why he was the first to take charge of the team. He said "On July 5, Lee Im-saeng, technical director of the Korea Football Association, came to the front of the house and had a long conversation with him. The director asked me what I thought when I presented the association's technical philosophy. I spoke honestly about my thoughts on the philosophy I had as a coach and executive director of the national team and 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 it after all night of consideration. Korean soccer is in an important time. It is time for Korean soccer to develop in the long term with the national team at the center. The KFA has announced 'Made in Korea Project' and intends to establish detail for the long-term perspective. I went through the national team by age and also administered. I felt how active youth discovery can be of great help. After that, I felt the importance of the K-League as a manager of the K-League. Based on this, we will achieve joint growth with the national team and the K League. We will also actively seek out prospects. Team A should play an important role in the lead. This development of the A team will have a positive interaction with the development of the K League and youth. I thought let's do everything I can for the development of Korean soccer, not personal greed. This was the most important internal motivation. Korean soccer is full of unprecedentedly great players. Grades and the system of Korean soccer have to catch both rabbits. I will make every effort to achieve that success. I'll accept all the harsh criticisms. I'll listen to it again and again. I'll do my part."

As for how the national team is run, three keywords are important: respect, dialogue, responsibility and commitment. From now on, the national team will lead the team horizontally, not vertically. The player should respect the staff, and the staff should respect the player. It's the same between the players and the staff. At the same time, the line to keep in your place must be clear. The second is conversation. Many misunderstandings arise from risk, lack of communication. We will have a conversation if there is a problem. I will share it with the players as a conversation. The third is responsibility and commitment. Opening up many parts and sharing information means that you have to fulfill your responsibilities accordingly. My coaching staff and I will accept it if we ask for a change. Players have to show on the field. I'm going to make a team with all three" he explained.

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/

As for the football you want to play "I think it's important that we own the ball and take the initiative in controlling it. We will play according to our flow. It may need to be changed. On a bigger stage, we might meet a team that doesn't play the way we want to play. But we have to go forward and attack what we're trying to do. The defense will make firm preparations in the situation of the groundwork and counter, so as not to allow the opponent a decisive opportunity. However, the defense will take the ball as short as possible and as far away as possible from the dangerous area. We need more time in attack. We will have efficient space and respond flexibly by using training on what patterns we will use. Unless it's the World Cup or the Asian Cup, it's a short convocation period, so 24 hours is important. If the players convene in time for the FIFA convocation, they have three days. One day conditioning, two days we plan tactics and strategies. The key is whether you play in the actual game. The coaching staff will make a thorough plan for the preliminary round in September right away. The initial state of the European wave will not be complete. We will make sure that we can bring a definite result as much as victory is important."

Finally, regarding the ultimate value of the national team, "The risks that had been lurking come out at the same time in bad situations, and then the team collapses. If each person abandons their selfishness and their own sacrifices gather, the crisis can turn into an opportunity. I think the national team should show fans how it breaks through. I will be a director who can show positive topics in our society. I will just look forward and go out to succeed in the national team. I will live up to my expectations with success. If it's for the national team, I'll listen to it even if it's a criticism. I know that national team development comes from the same goal. Please keep an eye on the changing national team and give us a lot of support," he bowed again.

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/

The Korea Football Association appointed Hong as the head coach of the A national team on the 7th. A written resolution of the 4th board of directors in 2024 was held from the 10th to the 12th. The case was approved by 21 out of 23 people in favor. Coach Hong immediately went to work.He left for Europe via Incheon International Airport on the 15th. Coach Hong personally met with candidates for tactics and physical coaching to assist him. It wasn't the end here. He met and talked with Son Heung-min (Tottenham) in England, Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich) Lee Jae-sung (Mainz) in Germany, and Hwang In-beom Seol Young-woo (hereinafter Tsurvena Zvezda) in Serbia.

Coach Hong is a legend who represents Korean soccer. When he was a student at Korea University, he immediately joined the A national team and showed off his talent. In particular, at the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup, he took the lead in the myth of Korea's semifinals with 'Captain'. This is why the modifier 'eternal libero' is added to his name.

As a leader, he also walked Tantan-daero. After coaching A national team, he made a name for himself as a leader of the national team by age. He made outstanding performances at the 2009 U-20 World Cup and the 2012 London Olympics. In London, he had the honor of winning an Olympic medal for the first time in Korean soccer history. He took the helm of Team A and played in the 2014 Brazil World Cup. However, the result was elimination from the group stage, which was the most difficult moment of his life.

Coach Hong will try again for the first time in 10 years. He hasn't let go of the last 10 years. He added his skills as an administrator and manager of Ulsan HD. Ulsan won the title for two consecutive years in 2022 and 2023. His challenge begins once again.

epi17@sportschosun.com

'A4 Eight Scenes' Coach Hong Myung-bo"I'm sorry to K-League fans, and I'll also listen to criticism."

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