Ex-football manager Hong Myung-bo leaves for U.S., says his story 'will come out someday'

Former national football team manager Hong Myung-bo departed for the United States on Thursday, just two days after returning to Korea, after saying that he does have “something to say, but that story will come out someday.”

Hong, who resigned after Korea was eliminated in the group stage at the FIFA World Cup 2026, made the remarks while speaking to reporters at Incheon International Airport before boarding a flight to Los Angeles, broadcaster MBC reported. He was wearing a cap pulled low and a face mask.

Asked about speculation that internal conflict within the squad contributed to its exit from the tournament, Hong denied the claims.

“There was no internal conflict within the team as a whole,” he said.

He also dismissed the rumor that Jens Castrop, who plays for Bundesliga’s Borussia Mönchengladbach, was left out of Korea’s first two group-stage matches for violating team rules.

“That is not true at all,” he said.

Hong did not comment on calls by some lawmakers to hold a parliamentary hearing into his appointment as the national team manager by the Korea Football Association (KFA), as well as the organization’s overall operations. Hong and KFA President Chung Mong-gyu are reportedly being considered as witnesses.

Hong is expected to remain in Los Angeles for the time being to take a break.

BY HAN YOUNG-HYE [[email protected]]