Hong Myung-bo has resigned as the manager of the South Korea men’s national football team for a second time [1].
The departure marks the end of a turbulent relationship between one of South Korea's most prominent football figures and the national team. His tenure has been characterized by a cycle of high expectations and public scrutiny following disappointing tournament results.
This is the second time Hong has held the position, having managed the team during two different World Cup cycles [1]. His first tenure ended in disaster during the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, where South Korea finished fourth in its group [2]. Following that performance, Hong decided to step down, citing the need for personal reflection.
"I thought that thorough self-reflection should come first," Hong said in July 2014. "I thought that receiving criticism until the end and then leaving was my final duty."
Although the decision to leave became official around mid-2015, the fallout from the Brazil tournament lingered. Hong said at the time that he would leave while carrying all the criticism [1].
Hong returned to the leadership role in July 2022, attempting to rebuild the team's standing. During his re-appointment, he emphasized his total commitment to the sport and the country. He said he had spent sleepless nights reflecting on his role, stating, "I have discarded myself. Now there is no 'I.' There is only Korean football" [1].
Despite this renewed dedication, Hong announced his second resignation in July 2023 [1]. The move mirrors the pattern of his previous departure, where the weight of public expectation and the pressure of performance led to his exit from the national side.
“"I thought that receiving criticism until the end and then leaving was my final duty."”
The repeated cycle of appointment and resignation for Hong Myung-bo highlights the intense pressure placed on managers of the South Korean national team. By citing 'self-reflection' and the 'burden of criticism' in both instances, Hong's departures underscore a cultural environment where managers are expected to take total personal accountability for sporting failures on the global stage.
