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 (5 ft 11 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position(s) | Sweeper | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Team information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Current team
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South Korea (manager) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1981–1983 | Kwanghee Middle School | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1984–1986 | Dongbuk High School | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| College career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1987–1990 | Korea University | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2000 | South Korea U23 | 1 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1991 | South Korea B | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1990–2002 | South Korea | 137 | (10) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Managerial career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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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Medal record
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| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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, which is a defender who "sweeps up" any loose balls and also helps start 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 was a key player 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 at the FIFA World Cup. This award goes to the third best player in the tournament. Hong was recognized for his amazing skills in both the World Cup and the AFC Asian Cup. He was even chosen for the FIFA 100, a list of the 125 greatest living footballers picked by the legendary player Pelé.
Contents
Hong's International Football Career
Playing in the 1990 World Cup
Hong Myung-bo 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 in the tournament. Hong played in all three group matches and received a lot of praise, even though South Korea lost all their games.
Success at the 1991 Universiade
Hong was part of the South Korean team for the 1991 Universiade, a sports event for university students. He made South Korea's defense very strong, helping them reach the final. In the final against the Netherlands, the game ended in a 0–0 draw after extra time. Hong scored South Korea's first penalty in the shootout, and they won the gold medal!
Shining at the 1994 World Cup
Hong's talent really started to get noticed during the 1994 FIFA World Cup. In a 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 tying goal. In another game, against defending champions Germany, South Korea was down 3–0 at halftime. Hong scored one of South Korea's two goals in the second half with a powerful long-range shot.
Challenges in the 1998 World Cup
After the 1994 World Cup, Hong played in the 1994 Asian Games. However, he hurt his knee during a game against Japan. South Korea then lost in the semi-finals after he left the tournament.
In the 1998 FIFA World Cup, South Korea, managed by Cha Bum-kun, had a tough time. They had one draw and two losses, including a 5–0 defeat to the Netherlands. Hong and the team were eliminated in the group stage.
Leading in the 2002 World Cup
Hong was supposed to play for the South Korean under-23 team in the 2000 Summer Olympics, but he got injured right before the event.
In the 2000 AFC Asian Cup, Hong was chosen for the All-Star Team. South Korea did not win the title, losing to Saudi Arabia in the semi-finals.
Hong was the captain when South Korea made history at the 2002 FIFA World Cup. They finished in fourth place, which was their best-ever result. In the quarter-final match against Spain, the game was a 0–0 draw. Hong scored the winning penalty in the shootout, giving South Korea a 5–3 victory. Because of his amazing performance, Hong was voted the third best player of the tournament and received the Bronze Ball. He was the first Asian player ever to be one of the top three players in a World Cup.
After a friendly match against World Cup champions Brazil in 2002, Hong retired from international football. He ended his career as the player with the most appearances for the South Korean national team.
Hong's Playing Style
Hong Myung-bo was not known for being super fast or having endless energy. However, he had an amazing ability to see the whole field. He was also a great leader who guided his fellow defenders. As an attacking sweeper, he was famous for his accurate long passes. These passes helped South Korea's attacks a lot. The South Korean media called him the "Eternal Libero," and he became a huge football hero during his time.
Hong's Managerial Career
Coaching South Korea's National Teams
After retiring as a player, Hong Myung-bo became an assistant coach for the South Korea national team in 2005. He helped the team in the 2006 FIFA World Cup and the 2007 AFC Asian Cup.
In 2009, the Korean FA made Hong the manager of the South Korea under-20 team. Under his leadership, the team reached the quarter-finals of the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup. They were eventually knocked out by Ghana, who went on to win the tournament.
Hong also worked as an assistant coach for the South Korea under-23 team. In October 2009, he took over as their head coach. He led this team to a bronze medal at the 2010 Asian Games. On 10 August 2012, Hong coached the Olympic team to a 2–0 victory over Japan. This win secured the bronze medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics. It was the first Olympic football medal ever for South Korea and the first for an Asian team in 44 years!
After the previous manager resigned, Hong was appointed as the new manager of the South Korea national team on 24 June 2013. He prepared the team for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. However, after a World Cup campaign without any wins, Hong resigned on 10 July 2014.
Managing Hangzhou Greentown
On 17 December 2015, Hong became the manager of Chinese Super League club Hangzhou Greentown in China. His team won their first match 2–1. However, his team was moved down to the second division after the 2016 season. The next year, he left the club.
Success with Ulsan Hyundai
On 24 December 2020, Hong was named the manager of K League 1 club Ulsan Hyundai in South Korea. He led the club to win two national league titles in a row in 2022 and 2023.
Returning to South Korea National Team
On 8 July 2024, Hong Myung-bo was chosen again to be the manager of the South Korea national team. His team successfully qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. They had six wins and four draws, without any losses, during the qualifying matches.
Hong's Personal Life
Hong Myung-bo married Cho Soo-mi in 1997. They have two sons, Hong Seong-min and Hong Jeong-min. One of his sons attends Korea International School. Hong is known for being a quiet person but also having a strong, inspiring presence.
Honours and Awards
Hong Myung-bo has won many awards and titles throughout his career as both a player and a manager.
As a 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 Player Awards
- FIFA World XI: 1997
- FIFA World Cup Bronze Ball: 2002
- FIFA World Cup All-Star Team: 2002
- FIFA 100: 2004 (chosen by Pelé)
- AFC Asian All-Star: 1993, 1997, 2000
- 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
As a Manager
- South Korea U23
* Summer Olympics Bronze Medal: 2012 * Asian Games Bronze Medal: 2010
- Ulsan Hyundai
* K League 1: 2022, 2023
- South Korea National Team
* EAFF Championship Runner-up: 2025
Individual Manager 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
