South Korea head coach Hong Myung-bo resigned in dramatic fashion on Monday following a disastrous first-round exit from the FIFA World Cup 2026 . The departure was triggered by a unprecedented public condemnation from South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, who openly labelled the manager "incapable" and demanded a complete overhauling of the country's football structure.
The Taegeuk Warriors started their campaign on a high note with a clinical win over the Czech Republic, but consecutive, uninspiring losses to South Africa and Mexico left their Group A campaign in ruins. South Korea harboured slim mathematical hopes of sneaking into the Round of 32 as one of the best third-placed teams, but those dreams were officially crushed on Saturday night when Congo defeated Uzbekistan 3-1.
The early exit of a side expected to comfortably clear the group stages has thrown South Korean football into total anarchy, inviting a furious political backlash.
"As a former honorary professional football club chairman and, at heart, a member of the Red Devils, I feel not just surprise but deep bewilderment at this unexpected result," President Lee stated, before launching a stinging attack on the selection process. "Once again, it has been proven that personnel decisions determine everything. If loyalty and factionalism are valued over competence and an incapable person is appointed as a leader, the outcome is as predictable as fire."
Before flying out from the team's base camp in Mexico, the 57-year-old Hong bowed down to the immense pressure and confirmed his exit. This was Hong's second stint at the helm, having previously overseen another group-stage exit at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
"To all of the Korean people who love and support our national team, I would like to genuinely apologize. Today, I’d like to announce that I will step down," Hong said in an emotional press conference. "As the head coach, no explanation can supersede the ultimate result. I could not bring the result that our people had expected. All responsibilities are with me."
South Korea remains a giant of Asian football, boastfully making 11 consecutive World Cup appearances and famously reaching the semifinals in 2002. President Lee has now ordered the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to launch a strict inquiry. "We will move swiftly to reform sports administration to ensure this absurd situation does not happen again," the President added.
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