'Red Devils' cheering squad turns on Hong Myung-bo after worst World Cup finish
Korean men's national football team head coach Hong Myung-bo bows after announcing his resignation at a press conference at Chivas Valle Verde in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Sunday (local time), following the team's elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage. Yonhap
The Red Devils, Korea's official football supporters' group, demanded head coach Hong Myung-bo's exit from the Korean football community following the national team's worst-ever finish at the World Cup.
The group issued a statement Monday, accusing Hong of offering absurd excuses. They said he should walk away from the sport entirely, demanding he publicly apologize and reflect on his actions.
The supporters said Hong exploited their loyalty to cover up his past failures, pushing Korean football to the brink for self-preservation instead of sacrificing for the sport.
The accusation directly targeted Hong's remarks upon returning to the national team last year, when he said he had "abandoned" himself to take the job as his last contribution to Korean football. His return, however, mirrored his previous failure at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where he also led Korea to a group-stage elimination with one draw and two losses.
Football fans react after Korea concedes a goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A match against Mexico at Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno District, Seoul, June 19. Yonhap
The team finished 34th at the 2026 tournament with three points from one win and two losses, bowing out in the group stage to cement its worst-ever World Cup finish.
The fallout extended to the global rankings, with Korea plummeting to 32nd as of Monday afternoon. The team's lowest ranking in four and a half years — since placing 33rd in December 2021 — marks a steep drop from 25th in early June.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.