Humberto Coelho Resigns As South Korea's Coach

John Duerden reports

Humberto Coelho has resigned from his position as the coach of South Korea. In the end, Guus Hiddink's shoes just proved too big too fill. A record of nine wins, three draws and six defeats out of eighteen would be enough for a UEFA cup place in the English Premier League. Unfortunately, however much Wolves and the foxes of Leicester may wish otherwise, the fatted calves of Oman, Vietnam, Nepal, Lebanon, Hong Kong and China don't graze in England's fertile fields.

This was the problem for the man who guided Portugal to the semi-finals of Euro 2000, disposing of England on the way and only losing to a disputed Golden Goal penalty against eventual champions France. After the euphoria of 2002, Korea may have won nine times but eight of those victories come against the teams above, the other win was against Japan.

Coelho came to Korea in February 2003 and his contract was due to expire in August of this year, just after the Asian Cup, to be played in China. His decision to leave his post four months early has come as no surprise in Korea as his days seem to have numbered since March 31st when his team traveled to the Maldive Islands to play its second world cup qualifier. The day that the Korean press now refers to as 'April fool's day a day early' was the final nail in Coelho's coffin, which was ordered when Oman and Vietnam stunningly defeated Korea last October in Asian Cup qualifiers.

After a lackluster 2-0 victory against Lebanon in the opening game; hopes were high that Korea could increase its goal difference dramatically at the expense of the football mad country and its 250,000 population. After all, Iran had won there 17-0 in 1998, however, Coelho, a follower of the Taylorist idea that there are no easy games in world football, took a strong squad to the tropical archipelago, including four of his European based players to play the team ranked 142 in the world.

The game finished goalless and thus the 'Maldives Shock' is still reverberating around the southern half of the Korean peninsula. The lackadaisical attitude of the players has been one reason cited for the national team's poor form. Some of the players have been accused of being too arrogant and not taking the games seriously enough and going out drinking a couple of days after the game.

An eyewitness told the influential Chosun Ilbo that a number of unnamed players were, "spending this wild night drinking and 'booking' (having the nightclub arrange the accompaniment of comely young ladies), I couldn't believe my eyes at first... . I think I know now why Korean football has fallen to where it is. The atmosphere surrounding their bender was so bad that most of the people at the nightclub were pointing fingers," the source said.

Fingers have been pointed more vigorously at the coach for allowing such a situation to develop. In contrast to the strict Hiddink regime, Coelho stands accused of being too laid-back in a country in which discipline is strongly valued. The critics of the ex-Benfica defender claim that he didn't experiment enough, instead favouring the established, especially European-based, players.

The newspapers, conveniently forgetting that they criticized the move, pointed out that prior to the World Cup, Hiddink dared to drop the Korean football hero, defender Hyong Myung-bo as well as the popular Ahn Jung-hwan. Both players trained hard and returned to the squad to have a successful competition.

Coelho has said that part of the problem is that after the unexpected success of the summer of 2002, Korea is no longer a surprise package. Other Asian teams desperately want to beat the most successful team in Asian history and 'out-Korea' Korea, not allowing the team any time on the ball and matching them for fitness. Coelho's critics see this as an excuse and believe that his tactics have been too conservative and predictable.

It is certainly true that Korea don't score enough goals. 42 goals in 18 games may sound impressive but a cursory examination of games played show that 36 of these goals were scored in 5 games against Nepal twice (23 goals), Oman (5), Vietnam (5) and Hong Kong (3). A mere 6 goals in the remaining thirteen games is diabolical by any standards especially when the opposition included Oman again (twice), China, another game with Vietnam and a number of games against Japan.

It was always going to be difficult for the team and the coach to follow the success of 2002. Before that competition, criticism of Hiddink was high and expectations low. Everything has changed since however, the fact that Korea enjoyed a certain amount of luck, not to mention home advantage has been quickly forgotten.

As a result, the influence of the Dutchman still reverberates around Korea and as recently as last week he told FIFAworld.com, "I succeeded in the Korea-Japan World Cup because I had firm beliefs and did not surrender to the pressures around me. He also acknowledged that adequate team training time in order to prepare for big games is essential. While such comments do not help Coelho, the genial ex-coach of Portugal and Morocco appears to agree.

During his final press conference on Monday morning, Coelho lamented the lack of preparation time and support he received. "With regard to the national team, the backing from the Football Association and the technical committee has been insufficient," he said. "In the 14 months since I took the job, the actual time for training has come to less than 72 hours." Obviously disappointed with the KFA, Coelho continued, "I think South Korea can achieve its goals if any foreigner coming in to take over the job is given the same support as Hiddink was for the World Cup," he said as he also stressed the need for patience.

Coelho denied that he had resigned and maintained that it was a mutual decision made with the Korean FA. It seems more likely that Coelho wanted to leave with some dignity as a senior KFA official had told the press after the Maldives debacle: "In this situation, it's nonsense to talk of re-signing [Coelho]. Even if we win the Asian Cup this July in China, we will not re-sign Coelho."

Coelho was unfortunate to be the one who followed Hiddink, whose boots were always going to be huge. The one who follows Coelho may have an easier time of it. If the Korean public gets its way, the one who follows Coelho could be Hiddink - just in time to start preparing for the 2006 World Cup.

Hiddink does have a first refusal clause if he is available but it's unlikely, as he has stated he intends to stay at PSV. More likely though will be Bruno Metsu, coach of Senegal in the 2002 World Cup, he was considered for the position before Coelho took over. Also mentioned has been ex-Turkey coach Senol Gunes.

Whoever it is, should be in place by the end of May, just in time for the Asian Cup. Until then, the national team's head assistant coach, Park Sung-hwa will take over the team as temporary head coach.

John Duerden

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