Coach Hong Myung-Bo, Who Vowed "Final Contribution," Faces Controversy Over Estimated 3.8 Billion Won Salary

Salary Analysis Platform 'Salary Leaks' Reveals Rankings
Highest-Ever Salary for a South Korean National Team Coach

Salary Leaks, a global salary analysis outlet that estimates and announces sports salaries, has estimated that Hong Myung-Bo, head coach of the South Korean national football team, earns an annual salary of about 3.8 billion won (2.16 million euros).

South Korean national football team coach Hong Myung-bo is listening to questions from the press on the 25th (local time) at Chivas Valle Verde in Zapopan near Guadalajara, Mexico, after playing the third group stage match of Group A against South Africa in the 2026 North and Central America World Cup. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

On the 26th (local time), Salary Leaks released estimated salary rankings for the head coaches of the 48 countries participating in the 2026 North and Central America World Cup.

According to the data, Coach Hong's salary is estimated at 2.16 million euros, ranking him 16th among the 48 managers. This figure is significantly higher than the previously reported 2 billion won and is more than double that of Japan's Hajime Moriyasu, the most prominent coach among Asian nations, who earns 821,000 euros (29th overall).

If this figure is accurate, Coach Hong would be the highest-paid manager in the history of the South Korean national football team. Previously, former head coach Jurgen Klinsmann was known to have received about 2.2 million dollars (approximately 3.4 billion won).

The highest-paid manager overall is Carlo Ancelotti, the Italian coach leading Brazil, whose salary is estimated at 9.5 million euros (about 16.7 billion won).

On the other hand, the lowest-paid manager is Dick Advocaat, who coached South Korea at the 2006 World Cup and is now head coach of Curaçao, with an estimated salary of 96,000 euros (about 170 million won).

Salary Leaks stated, "The salary rankings are based on publicly available contracts, announcements, and reliable media reports," adding, "Only base salaries were included; performance bonuses, other allowances, and incentives were not factored in."

Amid strong public criticism following the poor performance against South Africa, the disclosure of these estimated salaries has brought renewed attention to Coach Hong's past remarks. When he was appointed as head coach in 2024, Hong stated, "I will make my final contribution to Korean football."

Meanwhile, in Group G of the group stage, Egypt drew 1-1 with Iran, putting a red flag on the South Korean men's national football team's hopes of advancing, under Coach Hong Myung-Bo. As of the conclusion of matches on the 27th, South Korea sits in 8th place among the teams competing for third place spots. Currently, the only teams clearly below South Korea are Scotland and Uruguay.

For South Korea to advance, in the matches on the 28th, Algeria (currently third in their group), Croatia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo must all earn fewer points than South Korea or fall further behind in goal difference.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.