On October 12, Beijing Time (CET), according to Korean media outlet FOOTBALLIST, many reporters were aware of problems within the South Korean national team but remained silent to avoid destabilizing the squad.

The media outlet reported: Although the retirement controversy that erupted during October training camp has temporarily subsided, this does not mean the issues can wait until the November training camp. If the Korea Football Association does not quickly mediate the relationship between the head coach and players, even a single day of delay could plunge the national team into an endless crisis before the next training camp.

During the international breaks in September and October, the team was embroiled in retirement controversies involving Hwang In-beom, Hwang Hee-chan, and Kim Min-jae. The collapse of national team leadership began years ago and has been worsening steadily. Many reporters were aware of this but remained silent due to the lack of obvious incidents or concrete evidence, combined with a desire to support the national team and avoid destabilizing it. However, during this training camp, the problem escalated from involving specific players to affecting the entire squad. Through other players, an atmosphere emerged suggesting that the "1996 generation" might retire immediately. Initial reports claimed they expressed intentions to retire, but after internal discussions within the national team, they stated they would not retire when they left the field that day. Looking only at this outcome, it might seem like a non-issue that has passed.

However, it cannot be dismissed as merely a resolved matter. The three players met and spoke with Hyun Young-min, chairman of the Committee for Strengthening Combat Power, after the match against Uzbekistan. Following that, Hwang In-beom, acting as their representative, denied the retirement rumors, and the situation temporarily calmed. But Hwang Hee-chan and Kim Min-jae made no such statement. When Hwang Hee-chan traveled to Germany the next day, he refused an interview, only saying that "(retirement or not) has not yet been decided," leaving persistent uncertainty.

This is because the collective opinion of the players, conveyed by the three 1996-born players after gathering information from various national team members, was not genuinely addressed. President Hyun merely appeased them and postponed the retirement announcement; he was not someone with the actual power to change the situation. Coach Moreno sensed the unease permeating the entire national team even before taking office, but felt overwhelmed at the prospect of taking decisive action. He neither accepted their demands nor considered alternative solutions, and took no action. Coach Moreno told those close to him: "My status is interim coach; I cannot implement major changes in the national team." He was fully aware of the problems but managed the team with the vague hope that "they won't blow up during my three-month tenure," but things did not go as he hoped.

The players who considered retirement remain silent, but less than a week has passed since the incident became public. Questions posed to the players' agents have been met with evasion. If they issue any conclusion, it could trigger significant confusion over whether to retire or not. Some football fans might say "then just retire," but the association and national team cannot do that. Moreover, the current situation is already flooded with information and chaotic, making the possibility of greater turbulence very high. Reporters who previously remained silent about the national team's internal problems have begun digging up old grievances. Once a certain line is crossed, numerous uncontrollable internal stories could be exposed.

Rather than waiting idly for the November training camp, the FA must actively seek solutions. The key here is speed. Time should not be wasted assigning blame or deciding who should clean up the mess; immediate action is necessary to minimize subsequent fallout. Two days after the national team dispersed, there was no sign of action from Coach Moreno.

Traduzido por IA.

O site do AF já está online! Acesse notícias completas, comentários, detalhes de partidas e estatísticas no seu computador. Acesse: www.allfootballapp.com