Seoul - In a significant move for South Korean football, the Korea Football Association (KFA) announced on Tuesday that U-23 national team manager Hwang Sun-hong will also take on the role of interim manager for the senior national team. This decision was made by the KFA's National Team Committee, which oversees the appointment of coaches for national teams across various age groups.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the newly appointed chief of the committee, Hwang was selected based on his recent success, including a victory at the Hangzhou Asian Games, as well as his experience in international competitions and knowledge of Asian football. The dual role will require Hwang to balance responsibilities between the U-23 team and the senior squad, leading the latter in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Thailand next month.
The senior national team's managerial position became vacant after Jurgen Klinsmann was dismissed on February 16, following South Korea's disappointing exit from the AFC Asian Cup semifinals. Originally, the committee planned to appoint a permanent manager before the World Cup qualifiers but opted for an interim appointment after facing backlash from fans over rumored plans to recruit a coach currently under contract with a K League 1 club.
The criticism highlighted concerns over the KFA's respect for the domestic league, particularly with speculation surrounding potential candidates such as Hong Myung-bo of Ulsan HD FC and Kim Hak-bum of Jeju United. Despite rumors that former Vietnam national team coach Park Hang-seo was a strong candidate for the caretaker position, Chung clarified that Hwang was the committee's first choice.
Detailing the appointment process, Chung explained that the committee offered the position to Hwang on Sunday afternoon, following a period of consideration and deliberation. Hwang, acknowledging the gravity of the situation and the challenges ahead, expressed his determination to contribute positively and restore South Korean football to its esteemed status.
SEOUL - The Korea Football Association (KFA) has appointed Hwang Sun-hong, the current U-23 national team manager, as the interim manager of the senior national team. This announcement came after a meeting of the KFA's National Team Committee, responsible for coaching appointments across different age groups. "Hwang is a coach affiliated with the KFA and has recently shown his capabilities by leading his team to victory at the Hangzhou Asian Games," stated Chung Hae-sung, the newly appointed chief of the committee, highlighting Hwang's achievements and his familiarity with international competitions and Asian football.According to Yonhap News Agency, Hwang faces the challenge of managing dual roles, as he will continue to oversee the U-23 team while guiding the senior team through the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Thailand next month. Furthermore, he is tasked with leading the U-23 team at the 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup in Qatar, which also serves as the Asian qualifiers for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
The need for an interim manager arose after the KFA dismissed Jurgen Klinsmann on February 16 due to the national team's disappointing performance at the AFC Asian Cup. Initially planning to appoint a permanent manager, the KFA opted for a caretaker role following backlash over rumored attempts to recruit a coach from the domestic K League 1, leading to criticism from fans and media. Hwang's acceptance of the interim position reflects a strategic decision by the KFA to navigate the current landscape of Korean football while continuing the search for a permanent head coach.