'A first-class coach': J.League clubs reportedly eye Hong Myung-bo as Japan warms to him

As criticism of former South Korea head coach Hong Myung-bo intensifies following the national team's group-stage exit at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Japanese media are reporting a starkly different sentiment across the sea — with J.League clubs said to be sending "love calls" to the former manager.

Tokyo Sports reported Wednesday that "J.League clubs are showing interest in Hong Myung-bo, who stepped down as South Korea head coach after being eliminated in the group stage of the North and Central America World Cup," adding that "clubs are expressing interest in him, with some saying it would be better for him to work in Japan."

"Public outrage has exploded in South Korea, and some Korean media have gone so far as to call him 'the enemy of the people' — the situation has become overheated," Tokyo Sports said. "It has now reached a point where even living a normal life in South Korea is difficult for him."

The outlet then quoted a J.League official.

"Hong is a person of great character and has a friendly disposition toward Japan. And as a coach, he is first-class," the official said. "Wouldn't it be better for him to work in Japan? There are plenty of clubs that would want him. As things stand, it will be difficult for him to continue working in South Korea."

Japanese outlet Football Tribe also reported that "J.League clubs have approached Hong Myung-bo following his resignation as South Korea head coach," noting that "while criticism of him continues in his home country — where he previously played for Bellmare Hiratsuka and Kashiwa Reysol — the possibility of a move to the J.League is gaining traction."

During his playing career, Hong was widely embraced in Japan after stints with J.League sides Bellmare Hiratsuka (now Shonan Bellmare) and Kashiwa Reysol. At Kashiwa, then-manager Akira Nishino recognized his leadership qualities and handed him the captain's armband.

For these reasons, Japan has maintained a markedly higher regard for Hong than South Korea has.

Indeed, Tokyo Sports reported that "there are quite a few J.League officials who still maintain good relations with Hong, a legend of Korean football," and that "a sentiment is forming that now — precisely when he is facing fierce criticism in South Korea — is the time to invite him to Japan."

The outlet added that attention is now focused on whether Hong will seek a fresh start in Japan.

Earlier, Japan national team head coach Hajime Moriyasu had come to Hong's defense after the former South Korea manager resigned following his own group-stage elimination at the 2026 World Cup.

"I have met and spoken with Hong Myung-bo in private, and we have had exchanges both as rivals and as friends," Moriyasu said, adding that "this tournament's result cannot be called the worst in history. He has been giving everything he has for his country."

Meanwhile, Hong has now suffered group-stage exits at both the 2014 Brazil World Cup and the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North and Central America. The backlash has been particularly fierce given that South Korea failed to advance past the round of 32 in a tournament expanded to 48 nations for the first time in history.