Procedures were ignored and there was no clear philosophy. The result of appointing Jurgen Klinsmann, the former coach of the German national soccer team, ended in a disastrous failure. However, nothing has changed in the Korea Football Association (KFA). Even before the new national team’s power reinforcement committee is established, real names of candidates for coaches are being leaked from within.
It is a common point in the soccer community that the appointment of KFA’s coach selection process has completely collapsed. KFA Chairman Chung Mong-kyu explained, “We proceeded with the same process as when appointing Paulo Bento,” but the prevailing assessment is that it was actually an arbitrary appointment of Chairman Chung, with even the members of the power reinforcement committee being notified 30 minutes before the announcement.
Klinsmann has shown off his long-term friendship with Chung since his inauguration press conference in March last year. In an interview with the German media Spiegel last month, Klinsmann said that he had received direct contact from Chung and thus became a coach. He was able to be appointed despite criticism and concerns over his career as a coach and tactical competence.
This is why it is more important to review the Klinsmann appointment process and reorganize the collapsed system. This is because the second Klinsmann incident and the case of being elected without going through normal procedures can be prevented. It is necessary to establish a process that allows a director to be selected with a clear philosophy and direction as well as thorough verification.
Unfortunately, however, if we look at the KFA atmosphere before and after Klinsmann’s dismissal, we can’t even sense the will to change it. Contrary to Chung Mong-gyu’s pledge to set up a new committee to select the next coach, the real names of candidates for the next coach are already being discussed. It was not a conclusion that was drawn based on solid ground after sufficient discussion, but the candidates were selected first and the information was exposed. In other words, normal procedures are behind the scenes from the selection of candidates.
What’s even more absurd is that many of the candidates flowing from within the KFA are “current” managers in the K League. Head coaches such as Ulsan HD coach Hong Myung-bo, FC Seoul coach Kim Ki-dong, and Jeju United coach Kim Hak-beom are mentioned as head coaches who have experience in coaching the national team or have been recognized for their tactical capabilities. They seem to be mentioning close Korean coaches first as they have to play a qualifying match for the 2026 FIFA North-Central American World Cup with Thailand next month, and also need to deal with internal disputes within the national team 고수익알바.
The K-League for the 2024 season will open next week, on Oct. 1. Kim Ki-dong and Kim Hak-beom are being considered candidates for the national team, as they have yet to make their debut matches. They are the result of lack of common sense and respect. If there is at least a little respect for the K-League and its clubs, and if the system is in a normal state, it cannot be mentioned first in the selection stage. Clubs and fans are expressing displeasure with the upcoming opening of the K-League.
In reality, it is not easy to appoint a K-League coach as the head coach of the national team immediately. Article 12 of the KFA National Football Team Operation Regulations (appointment of coaches, coaches, etc.) states that “if you belong to a club, you shall notify the head of the club, and the head of the club shall comply with it unless there is a special reason,” but there are no K-League officials who interpret this as a compulsory rule. The common opinion of officials is that unless the coach abandons the club and fans and chooses to coach the national team, the contract or team situation of the club and the coach can be included within the special reasons specified in the regulations.
Due to Klinsmann’s failed attempt, attention and criticism are expected to be paid to who will be appointed as the next coach and how. This is why the KFA’s power reinforcement committee should start from the starting point. “We can see KFA’s perception of the K-League just by mentioning K-League coaches ahead of the opening of the new season,” a source in the soccer community said. “Both the club and the coach must be embarrassed,” adding, “The appointment of a new coach for the national team should be done by setting acceptable standards and going through a transparent process. It is a very natural process, but the KFA has not been able to do so.”
