Hong Myung-bo under fire after South Korea exit as president criticises coach and petition seeks removal | OneFootball

Hong Myung-bo faces fierce backlash after South Korea’s World Cup group-stage exit, with blame widespread and even the president intervening. According to L'Équipe, the national team coach has been cast as the chief culprit.

The campaign began brightly, South Korea beating Czechia 2-1 while playing attractive football. Consecutive 1-0 defeats to Mexico and South Africa then left Lee Kang-in and his team relying on a best third-placed reprieve that never came.

President Lee Jae-myung has linked the exit to a divisive us-versus-them approach and to appointing an incompetent leader, arguing the outcome was obvious. He referenced the 2024 decision to keep Hong in post, which had drawn accusations of favouritism. The Ministry of Sports has been tasked with investigating the national side’s performances.

Hong’s tactics have also been attacked, notably his decision not to start Son Heung-min against South Africa. A petition filed on the National Assembly website on Thursday calls for his dismissal, and it quickly gained the signatures needed for an initial review.

Public anger has spilled over, with social media posts showing shops displaying signs barring Hong from entering. He also led South Korea at the 2014 World Cup and again failed to escape the group, returning home to a hostile reception.

Source: L'Équipe