Hong Myung-bo was named the new head coach of South Korea’s national soccer team for the second time. The last time he was at the helm of the national soccer team was during a short period leading up to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
The Korea Football Association (KFA) said it appointed Ulsan HD FC coach Hong Myung-bo, 55, as national team head coach on July 7.
The KFA’s decision comes after a five-month search to replace Jürgen Klinsmann, who was dismissed in February after Korea lost in the semifinals at the 2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup. The KFA considered several foreign candidates, including former Greece national team coach Gus Poyet and former Norwich City manager David Wagner. However, negotiations with these candidates fell through, leading the KFA to turn to Hong.
Hong previously managed the national team from 2013 to 2014. He resigned after the team’s disappointing performance at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, which ended in a group stage exit with one draw and two losses.
Hong was the defender captain of the Korea team that reached the World Cup semifinals in 2002, which the country co-hosted with Japan. He has been at the helm of Ulsan HD FC in the K League 1 since late 2020 and led them to back-to-back championships in 2022 and 2023.