Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Guri Guy]

Had to know it would happen. The new coach is another Dutchman. Actually he was the assistant to Guus Hiddink in 2002. So sorta like a Guus lite.

SEOUL, June 26 (Reuters) - Dutchman Pim Verbeek was on Monday named new coach of South Korea's soccer team.

Formerly the assistant, Verbeek takes over from compatriot Dick Advocaat who stepped down after Korea were eliminated from the World Cup in Germany on Friday.

Earlier this month, Russia's Zenit St Petersburg said it would sign Advocaat as their coach after the World Cup.

South Korea's Football Association said Verbeek had signed a two-year contract.

The 50-year-old, who has 25 years' experience in coaching, played for Sparta Rotterdam from 1974-1980 and has coached Netherlands Antilles and Kyoto Purple Sanga in Japan's professional J-League.

South Korea bowed out of the World Cup after the first stage following a victory over Togo, a draw against France and a loss to Switzerland.

Despite the early exit in Germany, Advocaat won praise in South Korea for stabilising the team after his arrival in September.

Previous coaches Humberto Coelho and Jo Bonfrere were hounded from the job by a highly critical media and overly expectant fans.

Another Dutchman Guus Hiddink became a national hero in South Korea for taking the side on an improbable run to the semi-finals of the 2002 World Cup co-hosted by South Korea and Japan.

Verbeek was an assistant with Hiddink for South Korea during the 2002 World Cup.

"Verbeek has received offers to coach several professional and national teams, but he had a greater interest in the head coach job for the South Korean team, with which he has participated in two World Cup finals," KFA official Lee Young-moo told a news conference.

http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=worldFootballNews&storyID=2006-06-26T072810Z_01_SEO104536_RTRIDST_0_SPORT-SOCCER-WORLD-KOREA-COACH-UPDATE-1-PICTURE.XML&pageNumber=0&imageid=&cap=&sz=13&WTModLoc=NewsArt-C1-ArticlePage2

[Junior]

[thorin]

[Cheonmunka]

I remember reading 스포즈 신문 in early 2002. At that time there was an article requesting Hiddink's sacking.
Fickle bastards.

[Guri Guy]

Yep. They hated Hiddink. When Korea went to the USA to play in the gold cup, Hiddink went to visit his girlfriend. The Korean media harshly criticized him for not taking the team seriously. I mean a guys free time is his time you would think.

They did praise his Girlfriend's "inner beauty" though after the World Cup. Pretty high praise for a black woman from Surinam in South America.

I wish I could find the link with her talking to Dutch reporters. It said that she was the one that told Hiddink not to resign with Korea after the 2002 World Cup. Reportedly she said, "Korea is a bunch of the most ignorant racist ***** on earth. We're not staying here any longer". Unfortunately I can't find it and I can't read Dutch well either.

What is the "official reason" why he left anyway I wonder?

[Homer]

Guri..Hiddink left because thats what he does...one cup per team....

He already announced, before the cup began, that he was leaving Australia after the tournament to take up the job for the Russian team. You can bet your butt he will move to a different team after Russia in 2010. Thats his schtick.

Sorry to burst your "His wife hated Korea" theory...but if you find proof of this being the reason he left...I would be glad to read it...it would be a sad thing indeed.

[vlcupper]

I knew it would happen, but I didn't think it would happen this quickly.

[SarcasmKills]

Good for him for leaving.. he was never going to get a fair shake..

[Guri Guy]

I actually agree Homer. It would be a sad thing if it was racism that made Hiddink leave and I honestly hope it isn't true. I'll keep digging for that reference anyway.
I think Avocaat got screwed. He did the best he could. The KFA is to blame in my opinion. I feel sorry for the new coach. So much expectations and the Nazizens will be watching very closely.

[Homer]

The new coach will have his work cut out for him thats for sure!

[jinju]

Advocaat left because his contract finished. The guy never intended to stay past the World Cup, same with Hiddink. What are you guys taking about? This has nothing to do with Korea being fickle or blaming Advocaat for the 1st round elimination.

[4 months left]

[mindmetoo]

[Homer]

Missed that one..Advocaat left as Jinju pointed out (checked a few sports website to be sure) and his contract was finished so he left. He was not fired..so much for that theory.

[hermes.trismegistus]