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."
Bento said at a press conference after losing 1-4 in the round of 16 of the 2022 Qatar World Cup against Brazil.
"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 companion' of Korean soccer ended at the Qatar World Cup.
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.
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"Now is the time to think about the future," Bento said.
He emphasized, "I am grateful for what our players have achieved. I am very proud to have been able to lead Korea so far."
(Photo = Yonhap News)