S. Korea coach to step down as Japan eyes Argentines
Source: Agencies |
July 3, 2010, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
SOUTH Korea's Huh Jung-moo said yesterday he was stepping down as national coach after his side was knocked out of the World Cup in the second round.
"I want to have time to retrace my path, study what we have to do for the future and recharge myself," the 55-year-old said in Seoul.
South Korea was knocked out of the World Cup in South Africa last weekend after a 1-2 defeat by Uruguay in the last 16.
"There are many great and capable experts in South Korea," added Huh, a tremendously popular figure among his players since taking charge of the side in late 2007.
"I think I should step aside and give them a chance."
The 55-year-old Huh steadily won over his critics after initially being accused of playing "nihilistic football" in South Korea's hypercritical media.
After sealing South Korea's seventh successive World Cup appearance in an unbeaten qualifying campaign, Huh admitted his side was some way off reproducing its astonishing 2002 run.
"I felt that our players lag behind the world's football powerhouses, especially South American teams," said Huh, whose side conceded eight goals in four games.
"We are competitive enough in terms of physical and mental strength and organizing ability. But technically it's impossible to win against them. Whatever I end up doing, I really hope that Korea will be able to play on the international stage and I want to contribute to South Korean football in any way I can."
The Korea Football Association will discuss Huh's successor next Wednesday with an eye on the 2011 Asian Cup in Qatar. Former defender Hong Myung-bo is among those in the frame for the head coach's job.
"Huh (showed) that a South Korean coach can make it to the second round," said Lee Hoi-taek, chief of KFA's technical panel. "We will also consider recruiting foreign leaders, as Hiddink and (Dick) Advocaat ... played major roles in South Korea's football."
Also, former Argentina coaches Marcelo Bielsa and Jose Pekerman head Japan's wish-list to take over from Takeshi Okada.
Okada is set to retire to a life of writing poetry and farming after the Blue Samurai were knocked out of the World Cup in the last 16, triggering a search for his successor.
"I want to get away from soccer," Okada told Japanese television on Thursday after the team returned from South Africa following its penalty shootout loss to Paraguay.
"Even if I was offered a new contract. It won't happen so let's not talk about it."
Bielsa, 54, led Chile to the last 16 of the World Cup where it was beaten 3-0 by tournament co-favorites Brazil earlier this week.
New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert is keen to retain the job after New Zealand exceeded expectations.
"I would love nothing more than to carry on (as NZ coach) but I kind of have to weigh things up and make sure it's possible," Herbert, who has coached New Zealand since 2005, told reporters at Auckland airport. "I sort of don't want to (give up)... it's a priority for me if I can.
"I go back to Wellington today. That's where I'm employed, that's my job as we speak but I've been speaking to NZ Football which has been really positive."
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