KFA breached rules in hiring of S. Korea coaches, ministry says

2/10/2024 17:30

        The Korea Football Association broke its own hiring rules while recruiting national team head coach Hong Myung-bo and ex-coach Juergen Klinsmann, the sports ministry said on Wednesday.
        
        South Korea brought back Hong for a second spell in charge of the team in July, ending a five-month wait for a new coach after Klinsmann was sacked in February.
        
        Hong oversaw two World Cup qualifiers in September, including a 0-0 draw with Palestine, during which fans jeered him to express displeasure at his appointment.
        
        After Hong's hiring encountered backlash, Korea's sports ministry began an investigation into the operations of the KFA, which maintained that it never broke any rules.
        
        Last week, Hong said his appointment was not the result of preferential treatment by the KFA, adding that he took the job after meeting its technical director, Lee Lim-saeng.