Coach Hong Myung-bo promised to develop the K-League, but K-League fans who turned their backs on him do not believe his words. On
the 29th, Coach Hong Myung-bo held a press conference to appoint him as the head coach of the Korean national team at the Football Association building in Shinmunro, Seoul. Before the full-scale press conference, Coach Hong Myung-bo gave his inaugural speech, holding 8 sheets of A4 paper. The first thing he mentioned was an apology to Ulsan HD fans.
Ulsan lost its head coach during the season. It was an unexpected variable, not a dismissal or resignation, but an appointment to the national team. It is very rare for a club’s head coach to become the head coach of the national team midway. Ulsan spent the transfer market with Coach Hong Myung-bo. Some players came after seeing Coach Hong Myung-bo, and some left after failing to be selected by Coach Hong Myung-bo. The direction of the club’s operation was also prepared with Coach Hong Myung-bo. They thought about the K-League 1, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League Elite (ACLE), and the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Club World Cup.
But coach Hong Myung-bo left for the national team. There was no time to prepare for the farewell. He was mentioned as a strong candidate, but he continued to show his intention to decline and even said, “Ulsan fans can rest assured.” Then, he suddenly chose to go to the national team. After that, he took part in the match against Gwangju FC as the Ulsan coach. He directly saw and heard the boos and criticism from the fans.
The most necessary thing in the post-match press conference was an apology. A sincere apology to the Ulsan officials, players, coaching staff, and fans who were with him came first. At the pre-match press conference, he said, “I will tell you everything after the match,” but he did not bow his head to the Ulsan fans until the last question in the press conference, “What do you want to say to the Ulsan fans?” It was the same at the departure press conference held at Incheon Airport on the 15th.
An apology was needed not only for Ulsan but also for the K-League. In the past, the national team was always the priority and the K-League was the second priority. It was natural to make sacrifices for the national team. Not anymore. The idea that the league is below the national team is an old-fashioned and totalitarian idea. There is no longer any reason for the league to be forced to sacrifice for the country. That is why neglecting the league is an absolutely unacceptable action, but Coach Hong Myung-bo suddenly chose to leave Ulsan and the K-League and leave for the national team.
Hong Myung-bo said, “I stand here with a heavy sense of responsibility and regret for having betrayed the hearts of K-League fans. I would like to first apologize and ask for forgiveness from Ulsan fans. I was able to stand up again as a manager thanks to their support and encouragement. I bow my head and apologize for the fact that this choice has hurt and disappointed the fans.” He then stood and bowed his head 90 degrees. He
continued, “I ask for deep forgiveness from Ulsan and K-League fans. I will humbly accept reprimands and criticism. The only way to be forgiven is to lead the development and growth of Korean football. I will stand here with a heavy sense of responsibility.” It was clearly different from the press conference before the Gwangju match and his departure.
He continued to mention the development of the K-League. Coach Hong Myung-bo said, “While working as a K-League coach, I also experienced the importance of the K-League. Through this valuable experience, I will grow together with the K-League, the root of Korean soccer. I will also actively pursue the discovery of young promising players. The national team should play an important role in the forefront in a developmental direction. I will aim for the simultaneous development of the national team, the K-League, and the youth system.”
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