South Korea’s National team are reportedly looking to make former Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk as their new manager following the exit of Hong Myung-bo after the World Cup 2014. This was after a disastrous World Cup campaign for the Asian team, which came into the tournament as one of the strongest from this region alongside Japan. South Korea, however, were unable to even finished third in the group after managing to get only one point from the three matches. The resignation of Hong Myung-bo was expected to be followed by another South Korean becoming a national team boss.
South Korea’s National team are reportedly looking to make former Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk as their new manager following the exit of Hong Myung-bo after the World Cup 2014. This was after a disastrous World Cup campaign for the Asian team, which came into the tournament as one of the strongest from this region alongside Japan. South Korea, however, were unable to even finished third in the group after managing to get only one point from the three matches. The resignation of Hong Myung-bo was expected to be followed by another South Korean becoming a national team boss.
However, keen to the flagging fortunes of the national team, it seems that the Korean FA has decided on going Dutch once again. South Korea enjoyed immense success by appointing Dutch coach Guus Hiddink as their manager during the 2002 World Cup. Despite the home advantage, it was the presence of the Dutchman that helped Korea reached the semifinals of this World Cup. Keen to replicate the success, they are believed to have made an offer for van Marwijk, who is currently out of work after leaving his role at Hamburg. The 62-year-old has immense experience of coaching some of the best teams in the world including the Dutch at the World Cup 2010.
He led them to the final of the World Cup 2010 where they were beaten by Spain. “I met with coach Van Marwijk and heard from him that he is interested in South Korea’s football team. We talked for an hour and 50 minutes …. There was no concrete result but we’ve confirmed his interest. Negotiations with Van Marwijk will be finishing up in a week,” said Lee Yong-soo, who is the head of KFA’s technical committee. Apart from managing Hamburg, Van Marwijk has also managed the likes of Feyenoord and Borussia Dortmund.
Following (North) Korea at the World Cup