This is Korean soccer on the eve of a storm. The soccer community is on high alert as controversy continues over the appointment of national team coach Hong Myung-bo.
The National Assembly called multiple soccer players to question the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee on Monday. Key KFA figures, including Chairman Chung Mong-gyu, Technology General Director Lee Im-saeng, former chairman of the Korea Electric Power Reinforcement Committee Jeong Hae-sung, and former Korea Electric Power Reinforcement Committee member Park Ju-ho, were selected as witnesses along with Hong. Kim Dae-up, head of the Korea Technology Headquarters, was also added as a witness.
The National Assembly’s stylistic committee, consisting of 16 members, including Chairman Jeon Jae-soo, is determined to ask KFA about various pending issues, including whether ▲ Chairman Chung will challenge for a fourth consecutive term ▲ establishing a general soccer center and opening a negative bank account ▲ controversy over the appointment of a national team coach.
The key to this is the appointment of a national team coach. Hong, who led the Ulsan HD, took the helm of the Korean national team in July, replacing former coach Jurgen Klinsmann of Germany, who was dismissed due to failure to win the 2023 Qatar Asian Cup. Former Norwich City coach David Wagner of Germany and former Greek national team coach Gus Foyet of Uruguay were contenders for the nomination.
Public opinion is not favorable. It seems that there is a problem with the process, rather than the appointment of Hong, who returned to the national team for the first time in 10 years after the 2014 Brazil World Cup. He is being criticized for his fairness and transparency. Culture Minister Yoo In-chon also pointed out that the KFA did not follow the rules and processes set by itself.
“We were informed that the procedure for appointing the national soccer team coach was not fair,” said Rep. Jin Jong-oh (People’s Power), who runs the National Information Center for Corruption in the sports community. “We plan to raise the issue based on data and evidence.” Rep. Kang Yoo-jeong (Democratic Party of Korea) also said, “The KFA has completely lost credibility in its work. Reform is necessary.” As the KFA is busy preparing materials to counter the allegations, Hong and Chung are reportedly putting more weight on witness attendance.
In the meantime, new revelations have been made. A Korean-based agent based in foreign countries posted on his social media on Monday that he had no response to his offer to the KFA to head coach Erber Renard. Renard accepted all the conditions, including salary and living conditions, but the KFA ignored it. We were not given a fair opportunity,” he claimed. He also added that he was able to contact Spanish coach Luis Dera Puente and former Chelsea coach Graham Potter. 토토사이트
It is true that Renard, who had a reputation mainly in Africa and defeated Argentina by leading Saudi Arabia in the 2022 Qatar World Cup, was a strong candidate. He was also a top priority in 2018 when he appointed former coach Paulo Bento (Portugal). However, there is an internal message from the Korea Power Enhancement Committee that Renard often changed the meeting place he was promised, and his attitude and sincerity were questioned during the selection process, so a more sober judgment is needed.