Ahn Jung-hwan's blunt remarks: "It won't be too late to criticize Hong Myung-bo's team after the results come in... If they fail, I'll be the first to speak out"

\r\n\r\n
[Financial News] Friction surrounding the South Korea national football team, which has set sail toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup, shows no sign of easing.
As the administrative farce surrounding the appointment of the head coach was laid bare, public sentiment among football fans turned ice-cold.
Amid the fierce wave of criticism, a point raised by Ahn Jung-hwan, one of the symbolic figures in Korean football, has drawn attention. It was neither blind protection nor unconditional participation in the backlash.
"Evaluation should come after the results are in," he said, offering a weighty reminder as a senior figure in football and someone who has long borne the burden of results.
The scene was the press conference for the launch of TikTok's original variety show, Tiki Tiki Takataka Talk Talk Show, held on the 21st at The Link Seoul, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel in Guro-gu, Seoul. Although the event was meant to introduce a new program, reporters naturally focused on Ahn Jung-hwan's comments about the national team.
\r\n\r\n
Ahn Jung-hwan clearly understood the public's cold gaze. He did not deny the concerns surrounding the national team, nor the noticeable decline in public interest in football itself.
But he focused on the timing of the criticism. Having experienced many major stages, including the 2002 FIFA World Cup, he pointed out that "looking back, there were always minor and major noises in the early stages of preparing for the World Cup, no matter which coach was in charge." Separate from the controversy over the lack of transparency in the appointment process, he recalled that some degree of instability has always accompanied the preparation for a major tournament.
\r\n\r\n
Ahn Jung-hwan's remarks were not meant to block criticism of the national team altogether. Rather, he emphasized the immense responsibility the team must bear.
He made the team's fate clear, saying, "The public has every right to criticize the national team when it fails to do its job. The coach and the players are the ones who must fully bear all of that criticism." He was simply warning against the current overheated atmosphere, in which one-sided and baseless attacks are being hurled before any clear results have even emerged.
What stood out in particular was his declaration that he himself would become a sharp watchdog.
Having personally endured countless criticisms and pressures during his playing days, he vowed that if the team falls short at this World Cup, he would be the first to step forward and strongly criticize it.
The South Korea national football team under Hong Myung-bo is currently suffering severe moral and administrative damage after an MCST audit revealed that the appointment process violated regulations. Public anger is rooted in clear facts, and the team's image is likely to remain unfavorable for the time being.
\r\n\r\n
Still, time does not stop. Friendly matches against El Salvador and Trinidad and Tobago are just around the corner, and the real test awaits in the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage, where Mexico, South Africa and the Czech Republic are lined up.
Ahn Jung-hwan's remark that "it won't be too late to criticize after the results come in" ultimately placed the ball back in the hands of the coach and the squad.
The only card left to overturn the cold public mood is overwhelming performance on the pitch. With Ahn Jung-hwan's pointed reminder, all that remains is for the South Korea national football team under Hong Myung-bo, standing on the edge, to answer with results.
jsi@fnnews.com Jeon Sang-il Reporter