Monday, 24th June, 2013
South Korea have named former captain Hong Myung-bo as the new coach of their national team, a week after the country secured qualification to the 2014 World Cup.
Choi Kang-hee led the Koreans to their eighth-consecutive World Cup finals appearance last week, despite a 1-0 defeat to Iran, but made good on his promise to step down at the end of his contract.
Choi had been in charge since December 2011 and, despite calls for him to stay on at least for the duration of next year’s tournament, he moved aside soon after qualification was assured.
Hong, meanwhile, had been captain when South Korea produced a remarkable fourth-placed finish in the 2002 World Cup on home soil.
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He had been widely tipped as a future national coach, especially after his guidance helped South Korea to the bronze medal at last year’s London 2012 Olympics.
And the Korea Football Association has secured Hong’s services on a two-year contract that will see him lead the team in Brazil next year, as well as at the 2015 Asian Cup in Australia.
The KFA said in a statement: "The Korea Football Association has named former Olympic team coach Hong Myung-bo as successor to national team coach Choi Kang-hee, whose contract has expired."
Hong’s playing career had seen him grace the squads of J. League sides Shonan Bellmare and Kashiwa Reysol, whilst he also turned out in his home country for Pohang Steelers.
His career came to a close with a two-year stint in Major League Soccer, where he played for LA Galaxy between 2003 and 2005.
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