Hong Myung-bo

Hong Myung-bo
Hong in 2013
Personal information
Date of birth (1969-02-12) 12 February 1969
Place of birth Seoul, South Korea
Height 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position Sweeper
Team information
Current team
South Korea (manager)
Youth career
1981–1983 Kwanghee Middle School
1984–1986 Dongbuk High School
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1987–1990 Korea University
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1991 Sangmu FC (draft)
1992–1997 Pohang Steelers 110 (14)
1997–1998 Bellmare Hiratsuka 42 (0)
1999–2001 Kashiwa Reysol 72 (7)
2002 Pohang Steelers 19 (0)
2003–2004 LA Galaxy 38 (0)
Total 281 (21)
International career
2000 South Korea U23 1 (0)
1991 South Korea B
1990–2002 South Korea 136 (10)
Managerial career
2005–2007 South Korea (assistant)
2009 South Korea U20
2009–2012 South Korea U23
2013 Anzhi Makhachkala (assistant)
2013–2014 South Korea
2015–2017 Hangzhou Greentown
2020–2024 Ulsan HD
2024– South Korea
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  South Korea (as player)
Summer Universiade
1991 Sheffield
Asian Games
1990 Beijing
AFC Asian Cup
2000 Lebanon
Representing  South Korea (as manager)
Olympic Games
2012 London
Asian Games
2010 Guangzhou
EAFF Championship
Runner-up 2025 South Korea
2013 South Korea
* Club domestic league appearances and goals
Hong Myung-bo
Hangul
홍명보
Hanja
洪明甫
RRHong Myeongbo
MRHong Myŏngbo

Hong Myung-bo (Korean: 홍명보, Hanja: 洪明甫; Korean pronunciation: [hoŋmjʌŋbo]; born 12 February 1969) is a South Korean football manager and former footballer who played as a sweeper. He is currently the manager of the South Korea national team.

Hong is widely considered one of the greatest Asian defenders of all time. He participated at four consecutive FIFA World Cups between 1990 and 2002, becoming the first Asian player to do so. He also received the Bronze Ball at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, becoming the first Asian to receive an individual award at the World Cup. He received some votes in elections for the FIFA World Player of the Year, finishing 21st in 1996 and 17th in 2002. In 2004, he was selected for the FIFA 100 by Pelé.