Next Korean football coach likely to be decided soon

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

Sports

Hangzhou Asian Games

Mon, December 4, 2023 | 15:36

Next Korean football coach likely to be decided soon

Posted : 2010-06-28 16:38

Updated : 2010-06-28 16:38

With talks abounding as to who will succeed Huh Jung-moo, the decision on who will manage the Taeguk Warriors will be made early next month, the nation's football-governing

Huh Jung-moo

By Kim Hyun-cheol
Staff reporter

With talks abounding as to who will succeed Huh Jung-moo, the decision on who will manage the Taeguk Warriors will be made early next month, the nation's football-governing organization said Sunday.

Korea Football Association (KFA) Chairman Cho Chung-yun was quoted as saying by Yonhap News that the KFA will hold a technical committee meeting to "appoint a national team coach no later than July 10."

The official also hinted that Huh could extend his term with the squad by saying "It's about time that an experienced local coach led the national team on a long-term basis."

Huh, 55, was appointed to the post in Dec. 2007, with his contract expiring with the end of the 2010 World Cup.

The KFA plans to reshuffle the coaching staff, as well as the national team, in preparation for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup scheduled for next January.

Several international matches are planned before the continental championship. After a couple of friendly matches in August and September, South Korea will host Japan on Oct. 12.

Saudi Arabia is a likely candidate for the August match, while Iran will be Korea's opponent on Sept. 7.

Upon returning home, KFA officials will start a set of evaluations. Lee Hoi-taek, head of the KFA technical committee, said it will go through a considerable selection process.

After the round of 16 match against Uruguay on Saturday, Huh said he hadn't thought about his future in the build up to the World Cup, but he hopes to help the national team in any way he can.

If he doesn't continue in his current role, he would return to the local K-League as several clubs are in search of a new coach.

Incheon United has a vacancy as former manager Illija Petkovic quit the job due to personal reasons while Pohang Steelers is managed by interim coach Park Chang-hyun. New club Gwangju FC, which will debut in the league next year, is looking for its inaugural coach.

Coaching youth players is another option the 55-year-old can turn to. Huh, who is currently operating a youth football academy, has said many times that it is important for players to work on their skills from their early days.

His football school moved last year to the Mokpo International Football Center, a KFA affiliate which opened in South Jeolla Province, stirring rumors that he will be inaugurated as the head of the football center after retiring from the national team.

hckim@koreatimes.co.kr

Top 10 Stories

1	INTERVIEWEcolab helps Korean partners profit from ESG management

2	Son-dol: a cold day for a ferryman and a merchant

3	Seoul Metro begins real-time translation service for foreign tourists at Myeong-dong Station

4	Korean economy to start shrinking by 2050 if low birthrate unaddressed: BOK report

5	ANALYSISHas N. Korean leader's daughter been confirmed as heir apparent?

6	INTERVIEW'Lifeline for migrant workers in Korea' - Rev. Kim fights for foreign employees' rights

7	Space race heats up between two Koreas after Seoul launches spy satellite

8	Uncertainty lingers over Ven. Jaseung's death

9	INTERVIEWKorea to work with US, Japan to fight climate change

10	Korean battery firms face higher costs for access to US subsidies

Top 5 Entertainment News

1	JYP to host annual audition in January

2	Taipei Philharmonic Orchestra dazzles audience at Korea International Festival

3	Popular talk show 'Strong Heart' returns with new format

4	INTERVIEWHip-hop group Uptown returns after 13 years with new lineup

5	ONE PACT debuts hoping to leave big impact on K-pop scene

DARKROOM