KFA to Open Public Recruitment for Interim National Team Coach Until November, Raising Concerns for Asian Cup

[Anchor]

The Korea Football Association has decided to play all six international matches scheduled for this year under an "interim coach" system. However, by deciding to openly recruit the entire coaching staff, it remains uncertain whether any candidates will even step forward, making preparations for next year's Asian Cup far from easy.

Reporter Ha Seong-ryong explains why.

[Reporter]

The Korea Football Association (KFA) held a board meeting and approved a plan to appoint an interim coach for the national football team.

The contract runs until November, during which the interim leader will manage six international matches starting in September. According to the regulations of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, its higher governing body, the KFA decided to select the interim leader in the form of a coaching entourage that includes the coaching staff.

Since the Olympic Committee regulations were revised in February, the KFA recently openly recruited Olympic team coach Kim Eun-jung and under-20 team coach Kim Jung-soo. However, this is the first time in history that the top post of the senior national team is being pursued in this format.

Initially, the KFA leaned toward appointing a permanent coach, considering concerns that entrusting the national team to an interim coach would only amplify confusion, as well as the fact that the Asian Cup is just five months away. However, with the presidency vacant and preparations underway for a by-election causing administrative instability, the association reportedly made a sudden turnaround to leave the appointment of a permanent coach to the next executive board.

As a result, preparations for the Asian Cup, where South Korea is challenging to reclaim the title for the first time in 67 years, have hit a red light.

It remains unclear whether there will even be candidates willing to form a coaching entourage and apply just to manage six matches. Even if a new permanent coach is appointed in November as scheduled, the team would have to head into the Asian Cup without a single friendly match opportunity.

Moreover, since the presidential election could be delayed until March of next year at the latest, appointing a permanent coach before the tournament cannot be guaranteed.

(Video Editing: Lee Jae-sung, Design: Hwang Se-yeon)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.