Hong was nicknamed the 'Eternal Libero' for his leadership and offensive skills as a sweeper, contributing greatly to South Korea's attack.
He married in 1997 and has two sons, balancing his family life with a successful football career.
Hong played for LA Galaxy in Major League Soccer from 2003 to 2004, expanding his career internationally.
Biography
Early Life and Personal Background
Hong Myung-bo, born in South Korea, is a prominent figure in the world of football, known for his dual role as a player and coach. He married in 1997 to a woman five years his junior, and together they have two sons. His personal life reflects a commitment to family alongside his professional endeavors.
Playing Career
Hong's football journey began with Gimcheon Sangmu FC in 1991, where he played for a brief period before moving to FC Pohang Steelers from 1992 to 1997. He later had stints with Shonan Bellmare, Kashiwa Reysol, and LA Galaxy, showcasing his versatility as a centre-back, sweeper, and defender. Notably, he represented the South Korea men's national football team from 1990 to 2002, participating in three FIFA World Cups. His international career was marked by significant moments, including a remarkable performance in the 1994 World Cup where he scored a crucial goal against Spain and assisted in another, earning acclaim for his skills on the field.
Managerial Career
After retiring as a player, Hong transitioned into coaching, starting as an assistant coach for the South Korean national team in 2005. He later managed the South Korea under-20 and under-23 teams, achieving notable success, including a bronze medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics. In 2013, he was appointed head coach of the South Korean national team, although his tenure ended after a challenging World Cup campaign in 2014. His coaching career continued with a role at Hangzhou Greentown in the Chinese Super League, further solidifying his legacy in football.
Collected from open sources (3) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Gallery
Career & Clubs
1990 World Cup
Hong was selected for the South Korea national team for the 1990 FIFA World Cup just four months after his international debut. The youngest player at the team, he was one of the few South Koreans to be acclaimed, while they lost all three group stage matches.
1994 World Cup
Hong was selected for the South Korea Universiade team for the 1991 tournament. He stabilised his team's defense, helping them advance to the final. After a goalless draw with the Netherlands in the final, he scored his team's first penalty in a 5–4 penalty shoot-out win, contributing to winning the tournament. Hong's talent started to receive attention internationally at the 1994 FIFA World Cup. During the last five minutes of South Korea's opener against Spain, he converted opponents' 2–0 lead into a 2–2 draw by scoring a goal outside the penalty area and providing an assist for Seo Jung-won's equaliser. He once again scored a long-range goal in a 3–2 defeat to defending champions Germany.
1998 World Cup
Hong participated at the 1994 Asian Games after the World Cup, but he injured his knee during a quarter-final match against Japan. South Korea lost to Uzbekistan in the semi-finals after he quit the competition. While Park Jong-hwan managed South Korea from 1995 to 1996, Hong was suspected of being in conflict with Park, who had a coercive disposition. The press reported that Hong formed a faction at the national team, and doubted whether Hong did his best at…
Hong did not have rapid pace, untiring stamina or outstanding ability in man-to-man defense, but he possessed a wide field of vision as well as great leadership skills with which he marshalled his defensive partners. An offensive sweeper, he was noted for his accurate long-range passing skills which greatly contributed to South Korea's attack. He was nicknamed the "Eternal Libero" by the South Korean media, and became a preeminent icon of South Korean football during his era.
South Korea
On 26 September 2005, after his retirement as a player, Hong returned to the national team as an assistant coach. He took part in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, helping manager Dick Advocaat. He also worked with the next manager Pim Verbeek at the 2007 AFC Asian Cup. After Verbeek's resignation, he was one of the candidates to become the next manager. On 19 February 2009, the Korea Football Association (KFA) announced that they had appointed Hong as the manager of the South Korea under-20 team. At the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup, the team reached the quarter-finals under his guidance, but lost 3–2 to eventual champions Ghana in the quarter-finals. In October 2009, he took over duties as a manager of the South Korea under-23 team. He won bronze at both the 2010 Asian Games and the 2012 Summer Olympics. He achieved South Korea's first-ever Olympic medal in football, also known as Asia's second. After working as assistant coach to Guus Hiddink at Russian Premier League club Anzhi Makhachkala for half a year, on 24 June 2013, Hong was appointed South Korea's manager. His predecessor Choi Kang-hee resigned voluntarily at the end of the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification, and he started to prepare the 2014 FIFA World Cup, which was going to be held after a year. After a winless World Cup campaign, on 10 July 2014, he resigned from his post.
Hangzhou Greentown
On 17 December 2015, Hong was appointed manager of Chinese Super League club Hangzhou Greentown. In his…
- Club
- Shonan Bellmare (1997–1998)
- Club
- FC Pohang Steelers (1992–1997)
- Club
- Kashiwa Reysol (1999–2001)
- Club
- LA Galaxy (2003–2004)
- Club
- Gimcheon Sangmu FC (1991–1991)
- Club
- FC Pohang Steelers (2002–2002)
- Club
- South Korea national under-23 football team (2000–2000)
- Club
- South Korea men's national football team (1990–2002)
- League
- Major League Soccer
- National team
- South Korea
Personal
In 1997, Hong married a woman five years his junior, and has two sons.
Clubs
- South Korea men's national football team1990–2002
- Gimcheon Sangmu FC1991–1991
- FC Pohang Steelers1992–1997
- Shonan Bellmare1997–1998
- Kashiwa Reysol1999–2001
- South Korea national under-23 football team2000–2000
- FC Pohang Steelers2002–2002
- LA Galaxy2003–2004
Played together with
A. J. DeLaGarzaLA Galaxy · 2009–2016- Abdul Naza AlhassanShonan Bellmare · 2008–2010
- Abel XavierLA Galaxy · 2007–2008
- Abraão Lincoln MartinsShonan Bellmare · 2008–2008
- Abraão Lincoln MartinsShonan Bellmare · 2009–2009
- Adebayo AdigunKashiwa Reysol · 2009–2010
- Adiel de Oliveira AmorimShonan Bellmare · 2006–2011
- Adílson Ferreira de SouzaKashiwa Reysol · 2008–2009
- Akihiro HyodoKashiwa Reysol · 2011–2011
- Akihiro SakataShonan Bellmare · 2009–2009
- Akihiro SakataShonan Bellmare · 2010–2010
- Akihiro YoshidaShonan Bellmare · 1994–1998
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Hong Myung-bo is a former South Korean football manager and former footballer who played as a sweeper. He was most recently the head coach of the South Korea national football team.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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