Critics are calling for a comprehensive reform of the Korea Football Association following South Korea's failure to reach the World Cup round of 32 [1].
The demand for systemic change suggests that the national team's poor performance is a symptom of deeper institutional failures rather than just coaching errors. This pressure mounts as the public demands transparency in how the sport is governed in South Korea.
Sports commentator Lee Jong-hoon said the primary issue is a "closed-door" administration where a small network of insiders controls the organization. He specifically pointed to the leadership of the Korea Football Association and the nature of its elections as evidence of a culture of secrecy [1].
These administrative failures are linked to the appointment process for the national team coach, which critics said was marred by procedural irregularities [1]. The perception that the association operates through a closed network is seen as a direct detriment to the team's competitive performance on the global stage.
Former head coach Hong Myung-bo, who served in the role until July 2024 [2], reflected on his own history with the team. Hong said that while thinking about his previous failures during the Brazil World Cup was "terrible," he felt a strong competitive desire to challenge himself again [1].
Despite the personal ambitions of coaches, the consensus among commentators is that simply changing the person on the sidelines will not solve the underlying problems. The call for reform targets the very structure of the KFA's management, a move intended to break the cycle of network-based appointments and administrative opacity [1].
“merely changing the national team coach is insufficient”
The backlash against the KFA indicates a shift in public expectation from focusing on individual results to demanding institutional accountability. By framing the World Cup failure as a result of 'closed-door' administration, critics are pushing for a transition from a traditional, network-based governance model to a more transparent, meritocratic system of sports management.
