Japan men's national soccer team manager Moriyasu Hajime publicly defended former Korea men's national team manager Hong Myung-bo after Korea's group-stage exit at the 2026 North and Central America World Cup led to his resignation.
At a World Cup settlement of account news conference in Tokyo on the 2nd, Manager Moriyasu, asked about the former manager Hong, said, "I don't think this result for Korea is the worst ever."
He added, "I think he truly worked himself to the bone for the country," and urged, "I don't know how critically Korean fans are viewing this, but please also consider that the former manager Hong and the players worked for the country and give them some praise."
Manager Moriyasu and the former manager Hong held a dialogue last year marking the 60th anniversary of normalization of relations between Japan and Korea, discussing the development of soccer in both countries and avenues for cooperation. The two coaches are known to have continued to interact since.
The Korea team led by the former manager Hong recorded one win and two losses, for three points, in the group stage of the 2026 North and Central America World Cup. Korea finished third in the group, failed to reach the round of 32, and ended its tournament in the group stage.
The fallout around the national team after the exit was intense. As reports of discord between captain Son Heung-min and the former manager Hong and rumors of internal strife among the squad emerged one after another, public criticism grew. In the end, after the group-stage exit was confirmed, the former manager Hong issued a statement and announced his intent to resign on site.
By contrast, Japan, led by Manager Moriyasu, advanced from the group stage with one win, two draws, and five points. It then faced Brazil in the round of 32 but exited the tournament after a 2-1 come-from-behind loss.
After the tournament, the Japan Football Association was reported to have offered Moriyasu to remain in his post.