KFA shortlists 12 candidates for national team boss after months of failed talks

The list includes both foreign and Korean managers, according to National Team Committee Head Chung Hae-sung.

KFA National Team Committee Head Chung Hae-sung speaks during a briefing at the KFA House in central Seoul on April 2. [YONHAP]

The Korea Football Association (KFA) has shortlisted 12 candidates for a new Korean national team manager after missing a self-imposed deadline to fill the role last month.

KFA National Team Committee Head Chung Hae-sung told Korean wire service News1 on Thursday that out of 98 applicants monitored for the national team manager position, 12 were selected as final candidates during Korea's run in the second round of 2026 World Cup qualifiers, which ended on June 11.

Chung said he would discuss the final candidates’ tactics and philosophies with National Team Committee members in a meeting on Tuesday.

He also said that there are some Korean managers among the 12 candidates, but it is unclear whether any of them are active K League managers.

The KFA was reportedly considering an active K League boss as a permanent national team manager in February, but it scrapped the plan after facing backlash from Korean football fans.

Chung said he would not completely exclude Korean managers, as National Team Committee members said that a Korean manager could also be suitable for the position.

Korean coach Kim Do-hoon took charge of the national team's matches against Singapore and China during the final phase of the second qualifying round and secured promising results — a 7-0 victory over Singapore and a 1-0 win over China.

Korean national team interim manager Kim Do-hoon instructs his players during a 2026 World Cup qualifier against China at Seoul World Cup Stadium in western Seoul on June 11. [YONHAP]

It is unclear whether Kim made it onto the final list. Chung did not reveal the names of the managers under consideration.

The KFA previously said it would appoint a new national team manager by mid-May.

But talks with candidates like Jesse Marsh, Senol Gunes and Jesus Casas all failed, forcing the KFA to appoint Kim as a caretaker for the June qualifiers.

Jesus Casas, Senol Gunes and Jesse Marsch [EPA; AFP; REUTERS/YONHAP]

The permanent manager post has been vacant since the KFA sacked Jurgen Klinsmann in February after his turbulent one-year spell during which he faced criticism for a perceived lack of tactical awareness and failure to win the AFC Asian Cup.

Once a new manager takes the helm, he will have crucial work to do in the third round of qualifiers in which teams vie to earn direct tickets to the 2026 World Cup.

Korea reached the third round after winning the second-round Group C with five wins and one draw.

The draw for the final round will take place on June 27, with games scheduled to begin in September.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]