Hong Myung-bo Abruptly Departs for US Two Days After Return

[26.07.02] "Tactical Failure & Betrayal"… Former Manager Hong Myung-bo Sued as He Departs for US

The aftermath of the South Korean national football team's worst-ever World Cup group-stage elimination has escalated into a fierce legal battlefield. Following his resignation, former head coach Hong Myung-bo abruptly departed for the United States just two days after returning to Korea. Amid intense public criticism, a civic group filed formal criminal complaints against Hong and Korea Football Association (KFA) President Chung Mong-gyu, alleging breach of trust and systematic obstruction of business.

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1. Departure Two Days After Return: Hong Denies Squad Infighting

Hong Myung-bo, who landed in South Korea on June 30 amidst heavy booing from fans following the national team’s failure to reach the Round of 32 in the 2026 World Cup, left the country once again via Incheon International Airport on July 2, bound for Los Angeles. Reportedly planning to rest in the US for the foreseeable future, Hong spoke briefly with reporters at the airport, dodging concrete answers regarding the tactical failure by stating, "I have my own perspective, but the full story will eventually surface over time."

However, Hong firmly denied one of the most toxic rumors circulating in the media—internal squad discord. "There was absolutely no infighting among the players as a whole," Hong emphasized. He also dismissed allegations that Bundesliga-based midfielder Jens was sidelined due to disciplinary infractions, stating that player selection was strictly unrelated to penalties. When questioned about his potential attendance at a political hearing being pushed by the National Assembly, Hong evaded the topic, saying, "I don't know, as my return date remains completely undecided."

2. Retrospective Criticism? "I Accept Responsibility, Not Unfairness"

In an interview conducted on July 1, the day before his departure, Hong appeared to calmly accept the fierce public backlash. He bowed his head, stating, "I feel no unfairness regarding the public criticism. It is only right for the manager to take absolute responsibility."

Hong heavily defended his widely criticized strategy during the final group match against South Africa (a 0-1 loss), where Korea only needed a draw to secure a spot in the Round of 32. The decision to bench captain Son Heung-min and key midfielder Lee Jae-sung from the starting lineup had sparked immense nationwide fury. Hong explained his position:

Former Head Coach Hong Myung-bo on the Lineup Controversy "We explicitly establish the 'game model' we want to implement before every match, and these decisions are reached through extensive coaching staff meetings. I deploy the players, and I accept the outcome. However, no one can judge the absolute right or wrong of a tactic from the very beginning. If it works, you are deemed a good manager; if it fails, you are deemed a poor one."

Citing the example of Oh Hyeon-gyu, who successfully came off the bench to score a match-winning goal against Czechia in the first game, Hong argued that tactical and selection critiques are fundamentally heavily influenced by hindsight bias.

3. "Insulting the Public with Zero Tactics": Civic Group Sues KFA Leadership

Public fury has completely breached the boundaries of the football pitch. The Welfare Civil Committee (Seominwi), a prominent civic group, held a press conference on July 2, announcing that they have filed formal criminal complaints with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency against KFA President Chung Mong-gyu, former Technical Director Lee Im-saeng, and former manager Hong Myung-bo, citing charges of coercion, intimidation, obstruction of business, and occupational breach of trust.

The civic group targeted the opaque administrative operations of the KFA and the deceptive process behind Hong's appointment. The group was particularly unyielding regarding the breach of trust charge leveled against Hong:

Accused Individuals	Primary Criminal Charges & Civic Group's Assertions
KFA President Chung Mong-gyu Ex-Technical Director Lee Im-saeng	• Coercion, Intimidation, Obstruction of Business • Accused of systematically threatening and pressuring the National Team Committee during the recruitment process to forcefully appoint Hong.
Former Manager Hong Myung-bo	• Occupational Breach of Trust • Inflicted immense psychological distress on players and insulted the public through a total 'lack of tactics and strategy' at the World Cup. • Received an exorbitant salary from taxpayer funds despite an absence of competence, constituting financial deception. Demanded a full clawback of his salary.

Seominwi heavily lambasted the police for delaying investigations into KFA leadership for over two years, following their initial complaints in July 2024. Commenting on the recent transfer of the case from the Seoul Jongro Police Station to the Financial Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, the group asserted that the investigation is practically complete and demanded immediate prosecution referral to the prosecution service.

4. Korean Football's Fall from Grace: At a Crucial Crossroads of Systemic Reform

As the absolute peak of elite sports in South Korea, the Senior Men's National Football Team has vividly demonstrated what happens when an organization entirely compromises institutional transparency and leadership integrity.

When personal ambition and systemic negligence replace administrative honesty, the core essence of sportsmanship dies. Moving far past an individual manager's tactical limitations, the scandal has expanded into an institutional disaster encompassing allegations of backroom administrative collusion and criminal accountability over high-salary compensation. As judicial oversight narrows in on the KFA's financial and operational misconduct, South Korean football finds itself at a historical breaking point. Without comprehensive structural reform and absolute transparency, reclaiming the public's shattered trust will remain entirely impossible.

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[🔍 Core Case Summary]

• Hong's Abrupt Departure: Just two days after returning from the failed World Cup campaign, Hong Myung-bo departed for LA on July 2. He categorically denied all media rumors concerning internal squad infighting or player disciplinary issues.
• Tactical Defense: Regarding the controversial omission of Son Heung-min and Lee Jae-sung from the starting lineup against South Africa, Hong claimed he accepts the blame but argued that tactical assessments are strictly driven by result-oriented hindsight.
• Criminal Lawsuit Filed: Civic group Seominwi filed criminal complaints charging KFA President Chung and ex-Director Lee with obstruction of business, and Hong with occupational breach of trust for accepting an exorbitant salary while delivering a "zero-tactic" performance.
• Police Investigation Escalation: The KFA corruption and appointment manipulation case has been officially handed over to the Financial Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, signaling a major intensification of the investigation.