Hwang Calls for Overhaul in Operational System Following Team's Elimination

Courtesy of Korea Football Association

After South Korea's men's under-23 national football team failed to qualify for the Paris Olympics, head coach Hwang expressed remorse and advocated for significant changes within the program's operations.

The team's defeat in the quarterfinals of the AFC U-23 Asian Cup in Qatar resulted in their exclusion from the Olympics for the first time in 40 years.

Hwang attributed responsibility for the outcome to himself as head coach but emphasized the effort exerted by the players under challenging circumstances.
 

▲ Korea head coach Hwang Sun-hong / Courtesy of Korea Football AssociationHe highlighted the need for structural reforms, particularly advocating for U-23 coaches to be appointed for four-year terms without midterm reviews.

Hwang, who took over the program in September 2021, cited challenges in preparing the team for Olympic qualifiers following the demands of the Asian Games.

He refuted claims that his brief stint as caretaker manager for the senior national team impacted the U-23 team's performance.

The Korea Football Association (KFA) is currently seeking a permanent replacement for the senior team's coaching position, with Hwang among the candidates.

However, the U-23 team's early exit from the tournament may have implications for Hwang's candidacy. Hwang dismissed rumors of clandestine interviews for the senior coaching position during the U-23 tournament, vehemently denying any such actions.

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