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South Korea`s national coach steps down under pressure
Seoul, Apr 20: South Korea`s National soccer coach Humberto Coelho said on Monday (April 19) he had reached an agreement with the Korea Football Association (KFA) to step down from his position.
Seoul, Apr 20: South Korea's National soccer coach Humberto Coelho said on Monday (April 19) he had reached an agreement with the Korea Football Association (KFA) to step down from his position.
Coelho had been under pressure since a recent humiliating scoreless draw against the Maldives in a World Cup qualifier.
A tired-looking Coelho held a press conference and stressed that he was not resigning and that his departure several months before the end of his contract had been mutually agreed upon.
"I cannot say anything, maybe the KFA (Korea Football Association) can explain, but I want to make one thing clear. I am not resigning; we are ending the agreement under the negotiation of both parties," the former Portugal coach told reporters.
Coelho, who almost lost his job following Asian Cup qualifying defeats to Oman and Vietnam last year, was criticized by local media after the draw against the Maldives, ranked 142nd in the world.
The former coach declined to elaborate on the exact reasons for going, citing a confidentiality agreement, but hinted that there had not been given enough time to build the team and that he had not had sufficient time to train.
Defending his tenure, Coelho also said he felt the KFA had focused on the Olympic team to the detriment of the full national side.
"It is disappointing that the Asia Cup is not considered as important (as the Olympics)," Coelho added.
A Korea Football Association (KFA) official said it hoped to name a new foreign coach by the end of May. Assistant coach Park Sung-hwa was named as interim coach.
South Korean media have mentioned several possible replacements for Coelho, including former Senegal manager Bruno Metsu and Senol Gunes, recently sacked as Turkey coach, as well as former Brazil coach Vanderley Luxemburgo.
At a KFA meeting earlier this month a number of officials refused to back Coelho's request to see out his contract, which was scheduled to run until the end of the Asian Cup in August.
Expectations were high when Coelho took the job as coach early last year, but South Korea's performances under him have been erratic despite his team clinching the East Asian Championship title last December.
Dutchman Guus Hiddink survived calls for his head before leading co-hosts South Korea to the semi-finals of the 2002 WorldCup.
Some local media had also taken Coelho to task for relying on overseas players and failing to introduce new blood to the team.
He said his immediate plans were to spend time with his family but planned to remain in football.
Bureau Report
Coelho, who almost lost his job following Asian Cup qualifying defeats to Oman and Vietnam last year, was criticized by local media after the draw against the Maldives, ranked 142nd in the world.
The former coach declined to elaborate on the exact reasons for going, citing a confidentiality agreement, but hinted that there had not been given enough time to build the team and that he had not had sufficient time to train.
Defending his tenure, Coelho also said he felt the KFA had focused on the Olympic team to the detriment of the full national side.
"It is disappointing that the Asia Cup is not considered as important (as the Olympics)," Coelho added.
A Korea Football Association (KFA) official said it hoped to name a new foreign coach by the end of May. Assistant coach Park Sung-hwa was named as interim coach.
South Korean media have mentioned several possible replacements for Coelho, including former Senegal manager Bruno Metsu and Senol Gunes, recently sacked as Turkey coach, as well as former Brazil coach Vanderley Luxemburgo.
At a KFA meeting earlier this month a number of officials refused to back Coelho's request to see out his contract, which was scheduled to run until the end of the Asian Cup in August.
Expectations were high when Coelho took the job as coach early last year, but South Korea's performances under him have been erratic despite his team clinching the East Asian Championship title last December.
Dutchman Guus Hiddink survived calls for his head before leading co-hosts South Korea to the semi-finals of the 2002 WorldCup.
Some local media had also taken Coelho to task for relying on overseas players and failing to introduce new blood to the team.
He said his immediate plans were to spend time with his family but planned to remain in football.
Bureau Report