South Korea announce Choi Kang-Hee as new manager
The announcement comes just two weeks after the federation sacked former manager Cho Kwang-Rae following the country's shock loss to Lebanon in World Cup qualifying
The Korean Football Association (KFA) ended days of speculation in their Wednesday announcement of Jeonbuk Motors manager Choi Kang-Hee's appointment as new South Korea coach.
Kang-Hee replaces Cho Kwang-Rae, who was fired in early December after South Korea's stunning 2-1 loss to Lebanon in the third round of World Cup qualifying for Asia. The result meant that South Korea will have to beat Kuwait in their final match of the round in order to advance to the fourth and final group stage.
"We looked at several options," said KFA technical committee head Hwangbo Kwan.
"But since the Kuwait match is only three months away we had to pick Choi Kang-Hee, who can adapt to the current team right away."
Kang-Hee led Jeonbuk to the club's second K-League championship, in addition an appearance in the Asian Champions League finals in which they lost on penalties to Qatari side Al Sadd.
"He was always the first option for our technical commitee," elaborated Kwan in his statement to reporters.
"He was also optimistic about the opportunity, and Jeonbuk has allowed him to join the NT."
Kang-Hee is a veteran of Korean football, both as a manager and as a player. Between 1988 and 1992 he earned 40 caps for their national team and has managed Jeonbuk since 2005, leading the club to two K-League titles and an ACL title in 2006.
South Korea sit first in Asia's Group B with ten points, but a loss to Kuwait and a Lebanon draw or win over UAE on February 29 would knock the Taeguk Warriors out of contention for a World Cup 2014 appearance. - http://www.goal.com
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