After sacking coach Jurgen Klinsmann on February 16, South Korea began the search for a new head coach as the second round of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup resumes at the end of March. However, the Korean Football Association (KFA) hastened to appoint Klinsmann, and KFA President Chung Mong-gyu has been criticized a lot, so careful consideration will be needed when selecting a new coach.
The most likely candidates are Hong Myung-bo (Ulsan Hyundai), Kim Hak-beom (Jeju United), and Kim Ki-dong (FC Seoul), all domestic managers. However, with the new season starting next month, signing any of them now would have an impact on the club. Another candidate is Hwang Seong-Hong, who will coach the U23 team at the 2024 U23 Asian Cup, an Olympic qualifying tournament.
Osen's solution is to find a temporary option to take over the team until June, the right time to appoint a permanent coach. The newspaper believes that Park Han-seo is a reasonable option for the national team.
Park has not coached any club since leaving Vietnam in January 2023. He is currently an advisor to Bac Ninh FC in Vietnam's second division, and although his contract is valid until January 2029, it would not be difficult for him to return to coaching.
Management company DJ said, “Coach Park is in discussions with several federations and clubs.'' Osen. “But everything is still in the proposal stage, so we can't make a decision yet.”
The 66-year-old coach has repeatedly said he will not coach Vietnam or his native South Korea in the future.but Osen I believe that the situation could change if Park takes over as the coach of the Korean national team for just three months.
According to the newspaper, Park has five years of experience in Southeast Asia and is familiar with Thailand, which South Korea will play in the World Cup qualifiers on March 21 and 26.
“Korea cannot let their guard down against the strongest team in Southeast Asia.'' Osen I have written.
Park's leadership abilities during his time on the Vietnam national team are also expected to restore the discipline and team spirit of the South Korean national team, which has been in disarray since the recent clash between Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in.
“Right now, it's more important to unite the team than strategy or tactics.” Osen This was announced by a Korean Football Federation (KFA) official.
On Tuesday, Park's former assistant coach for the Vietnam national team, Lee Yong-jin, was officially selected by the Korea Football Association as one of the 11 members of the national soccer team reinforcement committee.
This could be an advantage for Park, as he and Lee have worked together for many years. However, the committee's chairman, Chung Hye-sung, who is the former technical director of Vietnamese club HAGL and former coach of Ho Chi Minh FC, does not have a good relationship with Park.