Bento, who had been linked to interest in the South Korea coaching job, draws a line: "I won't take a two-month position"

[Financial News] As the Korea Football Association (KFA) launched an experimental open recruitment process for the South Korea men's national team coach for the first time in the team's history, Paulo Bento, the former coach who led the country to the round of 16 at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, made clear that he will not apply for the short-term interim post.
According to JTBC on the 2nd, Bento said, "I will not submit an application because this hiring is for a two-month position," drawing a line under the KFA's public recruitment for an interim coach.
The KFA began the open recruitment process for an interim coach for the men's national team on the 30th of last month. The coach selected this time will serve for about two months, from September to November, and will temporarily oversee the September, October and November A matches as well as the national team schedule. The association plans to complete the appointment process within August.
Inside and outside the football world, there was strong interest in whether Bento would return, after he led South Korea to the round of 16 for the first time in 12 years and served as the longest-tenured foreign coach in the team's history. However, his refusal this time is seen as a clear sign that he is only interested in a full-time head coach role that would allow him to build a long-term tactical system and carry out a broader project.
In fact, Bento is said to have already told the KFA that he remains interested in the full-time national team head coach position.
Meanwhile, this is the first time the association has used an open recruitment process to select a senior national team coach for either the men's or women's side. The KFA said it is aware of concerns within the football community about the public hiring process and will gather both the strengths and weaknesses identified through this procedure and reflect them in future administrative systems.
Some in the football world, however, argue that recruiting a high-profile coach with international recognition and tactical expertise through an open call is unrealistic. The limits of such a system have become clear, as proven coaches like Bento would find it difficult to apply for a two-month vacancy.


[email protected] Moon Young-jin Reporter