Bento strongly wants South Korea job, willing to accept interim role

Paulo Bento, the Portuguese coach who led South Korea to the round of 16 at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, is strongly seeking to return as head coach of the national team, following similar interest expressed by former Jeonbuk Hyundai manager Gus Poyet of Uruguay.

A representative of Bento told Sports Chosun on Wednesday that the coach is willing to accept an interim position covering six matches and has already assembled his coaching staff.

The Korea Football Association has yet to open its public recruitment process, but Bento's camp said he would apply as soon as the posting goes up.

This is not the first time Bento has signaled his interest. Since the head coach position became vacant, he has already conveyed his intention to apply through contacts at the Korea Football Association.

Bento's connection with Korean football dates to 2018, when he took charge following the Russia World Cup. He consistently pushed an active, build-from-the-back style of play, and the approach paid off when he guided South Korea to their first round-of-16 appearance at an away World Cup in 12 years at the 2022 Qatar tournament.

His camp said many coaches in Portugal had been eager to join his staff given his strong standing there. The fact that he assembled a full coaching team for a temporary post guaranteeing only six matches underscores how determined he is to return to Korea.

The Korea Football Association plans to run the remaining six A-match fixtures this year under an interim manager. Depending on results, the appointment could extend through the 2027 Asian Cup and the 2030 World Cup, but nothing beyond the six games is guaranteed at this stage.

Earlier, on Tuesday, Poyet also announced his intention to apply for the interim head coach position through the public recruitment process.

Poyet said he has strong interest in the South Korea coaching job and will put himself forward once the selection process begins, according to Sports Donga.

"I will apply — even for an interim role," Poyet said. "I want to turn the national team into a winning side. I want to help reconnect the bond and trust with the fans that was broken after the World Cup."

Poyet has previously managed Brighton and Sunderland in England, AEK Athens in Greece, Real Betis in Spain, Bordeaux in France, and the Greek national team. He also has ties to Korean football: he was a finalist and was interviewed during the process that ultimately led to the appointment of Hong Myung-bo, who later resigned after the World Cup. Last season, Poyet took charge of Jeonbuk Hyundai and delivered a double, winning both the K League 1 and the Korea Cup.

The association plans to announce the open recruitment for the head coach position this week. It has confirmed Venezuela on Oct. 2 and Uzbekistan on Oct. 6 — venue to be determined — as South Korea's A-match opponents in October. A sparring partner for September, which would serve as the new manager's debut, has yet to be decided.

Meanwhile, the Korea Football Association said it will conduct an open recruitment process for a manager and coaching staff as a package, in line with the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee's regulations on national team selection and operations.