World Cup 2026: South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo denies claims of preferential treatment
Media reports say the second-time coach was picked ahead of several foreign candidates but Hong says he was assured he was the top candidate
South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo says his appointment is not the result of preferential treatment from the Korea Football Association (KFA).
South Korea brought back Hong for a second spell in charge of the team in July, ending a five-month wait for a new coach after Juergen Klinsmann was sacked in February.
He has overseen two World Cup qualifiers since, including a 0-0 draw with Palestine, during which fans expressed their displeasure at his appointment by jeering him.
According to reports in South Korean media, former Norwich City manager David Wagner, Canada coach Jesse Marsch and former Greece coach Gus Poyet were among the other candidates in the frame for the job.
“I don’t think I received any preferential treatment,” Hong said during a session of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee of the country’s parliament on Tuesday, Yonhap News Agency reported.
“I accepted the job because I was told I was the top candidate. Technical director Lee Lim-saeng told me I was the No 1 candidate, as chosen by the National Teams Committee of the KFA. If I had been No 2 or 3, I wouldn’t have accepted the offer.”