Korea needs a bigger and better coaching pool
Now that Hong Myung-bo has resigned, there will be a debate as to who is next to take the national team hot seat, one of the most pressured jobs in Asia. In the past this used to be a fun ritual. First, the media would throw lots of names around — both foreign and domestic. Then there would be a short list revealed and the excitement would move up a level with rumors, reports and all the rest. Outgoing Korea Football Association (KFA) chief Chung Mung-gyu spoiled it all of late by going outside the normal practices to ensure Jurgen Klinsmann got the job in 2023 and Hong in 2024. Indeed, this is part of the reason for the current anger. Now, though, there is going to be a new boss and while it is best not to rush, the question will soon start to be asked: Who? Despite all the criticism at Hong, he is actually one of the most successful Korean coaches. He led Ulsan HD to two successive K-League titles in 2022 and 2023 and also won bronze with the U-23 team at the 2012 London Olympics. Two years ago, there weren’t a lot of choices in terms of quality local coaches and that is still an i
