South Korean coach Hong Myung-bo resigned on Sunday, reports said, a day after his side exited the World Cup in the group stages.
The 57-year-old former captain caused an early elimination from the World Cup for the second time in his second period as coach, after South Korea’s failure in 2014.
South Korea was expected to progress from Group A, which also included Mexico, South Africa and the Czech Republic.
But it lost 1-0 to South Africa and Mexico to finish on three points. The only victory was a 2-1 win over the Czechs.
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It left South Korea hoping to advance into the knockout rounds as one of the top eight third-ranked players.
Those hopes were extinguished by results elsewhere on Saturday, with Hong taking responsibility and resigning on Sunday. Yonhap This is reported by the news agency.
Hong’s second spell in charge had already come under scrutiny before the tournament, with his reappointment in 2024 drawing criticism over the recruitment process.
The latest exit piled more pressure on the former defender, who had also resigned following South Korea’s winless season at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Published on June 28, 2026
