"This Time It's Real": Paulo Bento Expresses Interest in Returning as National Team Coach

It has been confirmed that former South Korea national football team head coach Paulo Bento has conveyed his desire to return to the vacant position to the Korea Football Association (KFA).

According to a KFA official on Tuesday (July 7), Bento recently expressed his interest in the national team coaching role through an association official with whom he maintains a personal connection.

The KFA official explained, "While no formal documents have been submitted to the National Team Committee yet, Bento has communicated his interest in the South Korean coaching position through a staff member he knows at the association."

As the process for appointing a successor has not yet been finalized, he has not officially submitted an application, but it has been confirmed that Bento intends to lead the South Korean national team once again.

A few days ago, when media reports claimed that Bento was the first to apply for the position, the KFA denied the reports, stating, "No procedures regarding the coaching position have begun yet." However, this time, they have effectively acknowledged Bento's interest.

Former coach Bento led the national team for approximately four years and four months, starting in September 2018, making him the longest-serving head coach in the history of the South Korean national team for a single tenure.

He achieved a significant milestone by reaching the Round of 16 at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, but he left South Korea after the tournament without renewing his contract.

After taking the helm of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) national team in July 2023, he stepped down from the position last May and is currently taking a break.

The KFA began its search for a new head coach by holding the first meeting of the National Team Committee on July 3.

As the appointment process is still in its early stages, it is understood that Bento's intentions have not yet been officially presented as an agenda item to the National Team Committee.

Reported by Kim Jiuk | Video by Choi Kang-san | Graphics by Yang Hye-min | Produced by SBS Digital News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.