Hong Myung-bo facts for kids
Hong in 2013
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| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 12 February 1969 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Seoul, South Korea | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.81 m | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Playing position | Sweeper | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Club information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current club | South Korea (manager) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1981–1983 | Kwanghee Middle School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1984–1986 | Dongbuk High School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1991 | Sangmu FC (draft) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1992–1997 | Pohang Steelers | 110 | (14) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1997–1998 | Bellmare Hiratsuka | 42 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1999–2001 | Kashiwa Reysol | 72 | (7) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2002 | Pohang Steelers | 19 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2003–2004 | LA Galaxy | 38 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 281 | (21) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| National team | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2000 | South Korea U23 | 1 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1991 | South Korea B | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1990–2002 | South Korea | 137 | (10) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Teams managed | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2005–2007 | South Korea (assistant) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2009 | South Korea U20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2009–2012 | South Korea U23 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2013 | Anzhi Makhachkala (assistant) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2013–2014 | South Korea | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015–2017 | Hangzhou Greentown | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020–2024 | Ulsan HD | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024– | South Korea | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Honours
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| Hong Myung-bo | |
| Hangul |
홍명보
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| Hanja |
洪明甫
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| Revised Romanization | Hong Myeong-bo |
| McCune–Reischauer | Hong Myŏng-bo |
Hong Myung-bo (born 12 February 1969) is a famous South Korean football manager and former player. He played as a sweeper, a type of defender who also helps with attacks. Many people think Hong is one of the best Asian footballers ever. He is currently the manager of the South Korea national team.
Hong played for the South Korean national team in four FIFA World Cup tournaments. He was the first Asian player to play in four World Cups in a row! He also made history by being the first Asian player to win the Bronze Ball award at the FIFA World Cup. This award goes to the third-best player in the tournament. Hong was so good that he even got votes for the FIFA World Player of the Year award in 1996 and 2002. He was also chosen for the FIFA 100, a list of the 125 greatest living footballers picked by the legendary player Pelé.
Contents
Playing for South Korea: International Career
Hong Myung-bo had an amazing career playing for his country. He showed his skills in many big tournaments.
Early World Cup Appearances
Hong joined South Korea's team for the 1990 FIFA World Cup just four months after his first international game. He was the youngest South Korean player there. Even though South Korea lost all their matches, Hong played very well and was praised by many.
In 1991, Hong helped the South Korean Universiade team win a gold medal at the Summer Universiade. He was a strong defender and even scored a penalty in the final shootout against the Netherlands.
Shining at the 1994 World Cup
Hong's talent really stood out at the 1994 FIFA World Cup. In one exciting match against Spain, South Korea was losing 2–0 with only five minutes left. Hong scored the first goal from outside the penalty area. Soon after, he helped his teammate Seo Jung-won score the goal that tied the game!
Later, against Germany, South Korea was down 3–0 in the first half. Hong scored one of South Korea's two goals in the second half with a powerful long-range shot. He was a true leader on the field.
Leading the Team in 2002
Hong was the captain of South Korea's team at the 2002 FIFA World Cup. This was a very special tournament because South Korea finished in fourth place, which was their best result ever! In the quarter-finals, they played against Spain. The game ended in a tie, so it went to a penalty shootout. Hong scored the winning penalty, helping South Korea win 5–3.
After the tournament, Hong was named the third-best player and received the Bronze Ball award. He was the first Asian player to get this honor at a World Cup! Hong finished his international playing career that year, becoming the player with the most games played for the South Korean national team.
How Hong Myung-bo Played
Hong Myung-bo wasn't the fastest player, and he didn't have endless energy. But he was incredibly smart on the field. He could see the whole game and was a great leader for his defense. He was known as an "offensive sweeper" because he could also help with attacks. His long passes were very accurate and helped South Korea score many goals. People in South Korea called him the "Eternal Libero" because he was such an important player and a true icon of South Korean football.
Becoming a Coach: Managerial Career
After he stopped playing, Hong Myung-bo became a successful football manager.
Coaching South Korea's National Teams
In 2005, Hong became an assistant coach for the South Korea national team. He helped the team in the 2006 FIFA World Cup and the 2007 AFC Asian Cup.
In 2009, he became the manager of the South Korea Under-20 team. He led them to the quarter-finals of the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Later, he coached the South Korea Under-23 team. In 2012, he led the Olympic team to a bronze medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. This was the first time South Korea won a medal in Olympic football!
In 2013, Hong became the main manager of the South Korea national team. He led them in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Coaching Clubs
Hong also coached club teams. In 2015, he became the manager of Hangzhou Greentown in China. He later coached Ulsan Hyundai in South Korea. Under his leadership, Ulsan Hyundai won the K League 1 title two years in a row, in 2022 and 2023!
In 2024, Hong Myung-bo returned to coach the South Korea national team for a second time.
Personal Life
Hong Myung-bo is married to Cho Soo-mi and they have two sons, Hong Seong-min and Hong Jeong-min. He is known for being a quiet person but also having a strong, inspiring presence.
Honours
Hong Myung-bo has won many awards and titles throughout his career, both as a player and as a manager.
Player
- Sangmu FC
- Korean Semi-professional League (Autumn): 1991
- Pohang Steelers
- Asian Club Championship: 1996–97
- K League 1: 1992
- Korean FA Cup: 1996
- Korean League Cup: 1993
- Kashiwa Reysol
- J.League Cup: 1999
- South Korea B
- Summer Universiade Gold Medal: 1991
- South Korea National Team
- Asian Games Bronze Medal: 1990
- AFC Asian Cup Third Place: 2000
- Dynasty Cup: 1990
- Individual Awards
- World XI: 1997
- FIFA World Cup Bronze Ball: 2002
- FIFA World Cup All-Star Team: 2002
- FIFA 100: 2004 (one of the 125 greatest living footballers)
- AFC Asian Cup Team of the Tournament: 2000
- AFC Hall of Fame: 2014
- K League 1 Most Valuable Player: 1992
- K League 1 Best XI: 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2002
- K League Hall of Fame: 2023
- J1 League Best XI: 2000
- Records
- Most games played for South Korea: 136 caps
Manager
- South Korea U23
- Summer Olympics Bronze Medal: 2012
- Asian Games Bronze Medal: 2010
- Ulsan Hyundai
- K League 1: 2022, 2023
- Individual Awards
- K League 1 Manager of the Year: 2022, 2023
See also
In Spanish: Hong Myung-bo para niños
- List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps
