Past remarks by former national football team head coach Hong Myung-bo, who resigned following the team's failure to advance to the Round of 32 at the 2026 North and Central America World Cup, are being re-examined.
In particular, Hong's past comments targeting national team captain Son Heung-min are sparking controversy.
During the 2012 London Olympics, when Hong was the national team coach, he excluded Son, who was performing exceptionally well in the German Bundesliga, from the final roster. In an interview at the time, Hong stated, "I don't know if Son Heung-min is that good."
Hong further claimed, "There are players who are good individually and players who sacrifice themselves to make those around them better, and Son Heung-min is the former."
Later, in 2013, when he selected Son for the national team for the first time as head coach, he showed a lukewarm attitude, saying, "I selected him because everyone says he is good."
Even as Son proved his skills on the national team by scoring multiple goals in international matches and his first World Cup goal, Hong maintained a cold stance, stating, "The national team is not a team for Son Heung-min," and "Just because it is Son Heung-min does not guarantee him playing time."
[Voice | Hong Myung-bo / Former National Football Team Head Coach: Well, it is true that this team is not just for Son Heung-min. As for the idea that just because he is Son Heung-min, his playing time must be guaranteed, that is something I...]
The harsh evaluation specifically directed at Son continued even after he became the national team captain.
Last year, Hong stirred controversy again by saying, "I am constantly thinking about changing the captain," and adding, "It is an important time to decide what choice to make for the individual and for the team."
Ultimately, Hong implemented a difficult-to-understand strategy by excluding Son from the starting lineup during the North and Central America World Cup finals.
Among football fans, criticism is emerging regarding these remarks by Hong, with some suggesting, "Isn't this a sign of inferiority and an attempt to keep a world-class junior player in check?"
Unlike yesterday (June 30), when former coach Hong Myung-bo was met with fierce jeers upon his return, fans offered their support to Son Heung-min, who arrived at Incheon International Airport early this morning.
Reported by Lee Hyun-young | Video by Lee Ui-seon | Graphics by Lee Jung-ju | Produced by SBS Digital News
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