National team coach Paulo Bento, who led Korean soccer to the second round of the away World Cup in history, said, "We have decided not to renew the Korean national team coaching position."
Coach Bento said at a press conference after losing 1-4 in the round of 16 of the 2022 Qatar World Cup against Brazil that day.
"I told the players and the president of the Korea Football Association of my decision. The decision was already made last September," he said.
With this, Bento's 'four-year partnership' with Korean football ended at the World Cup in Qatar.
Coach Bento took over as coach of the Korean national team on August 28, 2018, after the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
In the Qatar World Cup finals, they won 1 win, 1 draw and 1 loss in the group stage, leading them to advance to the round of 16 for the second time in history.
"Now is the time to think about the future," Bento said.
He emphasized, "Thank you for what our players have achieved. I am very proud to have been able to lead the Korean national team."
The following is a Q&A with Director Bento.
Q. What is your impression of the past 4 years as a member of the national team?
What do you want to say to the players?
A. Brazil played a better game than us.
congratulations on your victory
We tried to dominate the game more, but we didn't have a lot of time to prepare.
I've been working hard for the past 4 years.
I think we did very well in the group stage.
Of course it would have been nice if we had scored more goals today, but I am still proud of our team and I think the players did a good job.
I was satisfied with working as a director for four years.
Now is the time to think about the future.
I decided not to renew the contract for the Korean manager position.
In the future, I plan to rest and recharge, and then choose my future course of action.
I told the players and the president of the Korea Football Association of my decision.
The decision was already made last September.
Thank you for what our players have accomplished.
I am very proud to have been able to lead the Korean national team during this time.
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