The manager of South Korea’s national football team has resigned amid a widening investigation into the country’s failed World Cup bid. The resignation, confirmed by the Korea Football Association on Tuesday, follows a damning interim report from a parliamentary inquiry that cited evidence of improper conduct by officials during the bidding process for the 2022 or 2030 tournament.
Paulo Bento, the Portuguese coach who led the team since 2018, stepped down with immediate effect. No public reason was given, but sources close to the association confirmed that the decision was linked to the probe. Bento had been under pressure after the team’s early exit from the World Cup in Qatar, but the timing of his departure suggests a broader crisis within South Korean football governance.
The parliamentary inquiry, launched after leaked documents suggested financial irregularities and possible bribery, has already led to the suspension of several KFA executives. The interim report, published yesterday, found “systemic failures in oversight and accountability” during the bid process. The final report is expected in six months.
In a parallel development, the British Football Association has been invited to advise on institutional reforms. A team from the FA’s governance unit will arrive in Seoul next week to conduct an audit of the KFA’s structures. The move follows a request from South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, which has sought external expertise since the scandal broke.
The British FA’s involvement is notable. In recent years, it has positioned itself as a global authority on football governance, having overhauled its own regulations after the 2015 FIFA corruption crisis. Its advisory role in South Korea underscores the extent of the reputational damage to the KFA, which had previously been considered a model of Asian football administration.
Bento’s resignation leaves a leadership vacuum. The KFA has appointed an interim caretaker before beginning a formal search. South Korea’s next competitive matches are in March, when they face Colombia and Uruguay in friendlies. The timing is awkward: the team has qualified for the Asian Cup in January 2024 but has yet to secure a permanent manager.
The wider implications for South Korean football are significant. The country has invested heavily in the sport, hosting the 2002 World Cup and producing stars like Son Heung-min. But the scandal risks tarnishing its growing international influence. The KFA has promised full cooperation with the investigation and the British FA review. However, internal divisions remain, with some board members resisting the external intervention.
The British FA declined to comment on the specifics of its advisory role, but a spokesperson said it would “share best practices in governance, transparency, and ethical standards”. The hope is that reform will restore confidence among sponsors, fans, and FIFA.
For now, South Korean football faces a period of uncertainty. The coach has gone, the inquiry is ongoing, and the sport’s administrative integrity hangs in the balance.
