Choi says will lead national soccer team till June 2013

Another year and another manager for South Korean football: The baton has now passed from Cho Kwang-rae to another local manager, Choi Kang-hee.

But the newly appointed manager said Thursday that he is taking the helm of the national team only “temporarily.”

“My contract will be until June 2013, and I want to go back to my club,” Choi said.

The announcement came just two weeks after the football governing body fired former manager Cho.

Speaking at a news conference at the Korean Football Association in Seoul, 52-year-old Choi repeated that he wants to remain at the heart of club football over the national team.

“Until last week I did not want to be here, because I’d promised the fans and players of Jeonbuk to stay with the team. And I agreed to sign a long-term contract with the team,” Choi explained.

“But I’ve changed my mind as I felt the national team is in a serious crisis.”

Choi, the manager of K-League champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, was named on Wednesday the new boss of the national team.

The KFA announced that the outspoken manager would lead the national team for the 2014 World Cup, following a meeting of its technical committee.

Choi, however, claimed Thursday that he would guide the team until the Asian qualifying round in 2013.

“My aim is to help Korea make it to eight consecutive World Cup finals, and then I want to go back to Jeonbuk.”

He admitted that Korea would be better off under the guidance of foreign hands.

“I’m not good enough to lead the team at the World Cup stage. For the sake of the national team, Korea should find an experienced foreign manager,” he added.

Despite the comment, Choi said he is now focused on helping Korea get through the Asian qualifiers.

“I can promise that I’ll put my heart into the team,” he said.

During his reign at Jeonbuk, Choi twice guided the club to the K-League title, in 2009 and 2011. He also won the 2006 AFC Champions League and finished runner-up this year, and is now expected to bring a vast wealth of experience to the national team.

His first task will be Korea’s must-win game against Kuwait on Feb. 29.

Currently, Korea sits at the top of Group B in the third round of the Asian qualifiers, but is only ahead of Lebanon on goal difference. Kuwait is in third, just two points behind. But Korea would be eliminated if it loses to Kuwait and if Lebanon defeats or draws with the UAE in the final group game.

“The timing is quite tricky. February is offseason here, so the K-League players won’t be at their best,” he admitted.

But Choi noted that he is confident that Korea will land a berth in the 2014 World Cup.

“I firmly believe that Korea is still a powerhouse in Asian football. If we prepare well, it won’t be a problem to get through the Asian qualifiers,” he said.

By Oh Kyu-wook (596story@heraldcorp.com)