The Korea Football Association (KFA) has officially denied reports that former national team head coach Paulo Bento has applied for the vacant head coach position.

The national team head coach position is currently vacant following the resignation of former coach Hong Myung-bo.

Earlier, as the KFA’s National Team Committee began searching for a successor, media reports emerged claiming that former coach Bento was the first to apply for the job.

In response, the KFA immediately refuted the claims through the media, stating, "No procedures, such as accepting applications for the head coach position, have begun yet," and added, "The story that coach Bento has applied is not true."

Former coach Bento led the South Korean national team from 2018 to 2022 and guided the team to the Round of 16 at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Even after that, Bento expressed his affection for the Korean national team and his desire to extend his contract and remain in his position, but he ultimately stepped down after failing to narrow differences with the KFA regarding contract terms and other issues.

Following the disastrous performance in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where the team was eliminated in the group stage, football fans flooded the social media account of Bento’s wife with messages pleading for his return, calling him "Ben-beoji" (a portmanteau of Bento and father).

After leaving Korea, Bento managed the United Arab Emirates national team until 2025.

Ahead of this World Cup, there were reports that he had received a formal offer to become the head coach of Uzbekistan, but he was not ultimately appointed.

The KFA announced on July 3 that "the National Team Committee held its first meeting regarding the current situation of the vacant head coach position," adding that "overall discussions were held, taking into account the A-match schedule, the KFA presidential election schedule, and preparations for the Asian Cup."

The association also stated that it would review various options regarding the appointment of a new head coach.

Reported by Kim Minjeong | Video by Lee Dain | Graphics by Yang Hyemin | Produced by SBS Digital News