According to Korean media reports, the slow progress in assembling the coaching staff under Hong Myung-bo after he took over the South Korean national team has raised concerns among fans. According to the latest news from the Korea Football Association, Hong Myung-bo has reached preliminary agreements with two domestic coaches and two European coaches, but the formal announcement will have to wait for several days due to the need to finalize contract details.
Even if finalized immediately, time is still tight as the first match of the 18th round qualifiers is less than a month away. On September 5th, South Korea will face Palestine at home, followed by an away match against Oman on the 10th. As per the plan, the player roster will be announced on August 26th, with the team assembling on September 2nd, meaning the new coaching staff will have only about a week to familiarize themselves with the players and convey Hong Myung-bo’s tactical ideas, particularly for foreign coaches, making it more challenging to understand local players.
Looking back to Hong Myung-bo’s inauguration press conference last month, the Korea Football Association had advocated for Hong Myung-bo over foreign coaches, citing the tight preparation time for the qualifiers and the need to be familiar with local players. However, the delay in forming the coaching staff has negated the initial advantage of domestic coaches.
Some commentators have pointed out that if this is the case, what is the rationale behind sticking with domestic coaches? Former coach Paulo Bento brought his entire team directly, effectively saving time on integration. The fact that the Football Association drafted Hong Myung-bo mid-K League season has led to his original club, Ulsan Hyundai, refusing to release his assistant coaches, further aggravating the difficulty in assembling the coaching staff.
Korean media believes that foreign coaches have a greater advantage. For instance, Bento not only accelerated the overseas transfers of players but also provided strong support when Kim Jin-su joined Brentford in the English Premier League, showcasing the value of an international network.
While Hong Myung-bo’s team plans to bring in European tactical coaches, despite emphasizing a Korean-style tactical philosophy, it also indirectly reflects that South Korean football still has room for improvement in terms of tactics, requiring learning from overseas. This series of events raises questions about whether the choice of domestic coaches truly holds the advantages previously envisioned.
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