The much anticipated announcement of Korea National Team manager will be held off for at least a week.
Korea Football Association was initially scheduled to name Huh Jung-Moo’s replacement as early as last week, but its plan has now changed as the technical committee asked for more time to assess the designated candidates. The announcement is expected to be made next week.
KFA told the Korean press in an official statement, “The board meeting that was scheduled with the purpose of appointing the new manager has been delayed and will re-open sometime next week. Members of the technical committee decided that more time was needed to assess all the candidates.”
Reports in Korea indicates that KFA’s intention after the team’s exit in the second round of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa was to reward Huh with a two-year extension for taking the team to its first ever second round appearance on foreign soil, with its back-up plan being promoting the assistant coach Jung Hae-Sung.
However, Huh’s refusal to extend his contract followed by Jung declining the managerial position forced KFA’s plan to set its sights on other options.
Huh, after taking his side to the round of 16 in South Africa, declared he will step down and take his time to consider options at other employment opportunities.
The time is winding down on KFA as the Taegeuk Warriors are scheduled to play Syria in just four weeks’ time as they begin preparations for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar.
Some of the candidates to replace Huh include Gyeongnam manager Cho Kwang-Rae, Kim Ho-Kon of Ulsan Hyundai Horang-i and former Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma boss Kim Hak-beom. Jang Wae-Ryong, the ex-Incheon United manager, is also being considered according to reports in Korea.
