S. Korea may name national football coach this week

South Korea could name its new national football head coach this week, the sport's top official said Tuesday. Cho Chung-yun, head of the Korea Football Association (KFA), said officials are working hard to fill the vacancy soon."In regards to the naming of the head coach, there will be some good news this week," Cho said. "It's difficult to tell you about all the process, but we're doing our best." Earlier this month, Cho Kwang-rae was abruptly dismissed as the national team bench boss, following South Korea's 2-1 upset loss to Lebanon in November in the ongoing regional qualification for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.Cho Kwang-rae charged that the KFA ignored the proper procedures to fire him, and critics claimed the KFA had political motives for the dismissal. Cho Chung-yun, of no relation to the former head coach, apologized for the controversy."I am sorry that there was so much noise over the firing of the coach," the KFA chairman said. "I think I am greatly indebted to Cho Kwang-rae. I admit I am at least partially responsible for what happened as the head of the KFA."Cho Chung-yun added the KFA did its best to take proper steps, namely convening a meeting of its technical committee, but said the media reported the imminent dismissal first. He also criticized the press for distorting facts and blowing other issues out of proportion in its coverage. KFA officials have said they will actively consider hiring a foreign national to lead the football squad.In Group B of the current qualification round, South Korea remains in first place with 10 points, with the top two nations from each of the five groups to advance to the fourth and final stage. South Korea will be eliminated from qualification, however, if it loses to Kuwait and Lebanon defeats or draws the United Arab Emirates in their final group matches in February. Dutchman Guus Hiddink has been by far the most successful foreign football coach here, having guided South Korea to the semifinals at the 2002 World Cup for its best-ever finish at the quadrennial competition. Afterward, Humberto Coelho of Portugal, and Jo Bonfrere, Dick Advocaat and Pim Verbeek, all from the Netherlands, had mixed results but never came close to matching Hiddink's achievement.Since Verbeek quit in August 2007, two South Koreans, Huh Jung-moo and Cho, have coached the national team.