Huh Jung-moo

1.1. Birth and Early Life

Huh Jung-moo was born on 13 January 1955 in Chosari, Uisin-myeon, Jindo County, South Jeolla Province, South Korea. Although some sources, particularly a Korean news report, indicate his birth year as 1953, the more widely cited date, including in international football databases and other multilingual Wikipedia entries, is 1955. His father was a school principal, ensuring a stable household despite not being affluent. Due to the financial demands of his older siblings' university education and younger siblings' upcoming middle school enrollments, Huh Jung-moo took a year off after graduating middle school. To continue his football pursuits, he later re-enrolled in Joongdong Middle School to focus on the sport. He then attended Yongdungpo Technical High School before continuing his football career at Yonsei University from 1974 to 1977.

1.2. Early Playing Career and Military Service

After graduating from Yonsei University, where he was considered one of South Korea's best college footballers and often compared to Cha Bum-kun of Korea University, Huh Jung-moo began his semi-professional career. In 1978, he joined Korea Electric Power FC. Concurrently, he fulfilled his mandatory military service by enlisting in the Republic of Korea Marine Corps and playing for the ROK Navy FC. His time at Korea Electric Power FC and ROK Navy FC spanned until 1980.

2.1. Club Career

Inspired by Cha Bum-kun's success in the German Bundesliga, Huh Jung-moo sought a move to Europe after his military discharge. In August 1980, he joined Eredivisie side PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands. During his three seasons with PSV (1980-1983), he primarily played as a defensive midfielder and made an impressive impact. He featured in 77 league matches, scoring 11 goals, and also played in cup competitions. In the 1982-83 Eredivisie season, he contributed to PSV finishing as league runner-up. His aggressive marking style was notable, leading to an incident where Johan Cruyff reportedly broke Huh's nose due to his relentless tracking. He also faced a racist gesture from Willem van Hanegem.

In 1983, after his contract with PSV Eindhoven expired, Huh Jung-moo decided to return to South Korea due to his wife's homesickness and the establishment of the K League, South Korea's professional football league. In 1984, he became a founding member of Hyundai Horang-i, where he played for three years. He appeared in 36 league matches, scoring 4 goals, and also participated in the Korean League Cup in 1986, which Hyundai Horang-i won. He retired from professional football after the 1986 season.

2.2. International Career

Huh Jung-moo represented various South Korean national teams throughout his career, from youth levels to the senior squad. He was a member of the South Korea U20 squad that secured third place in both the 1973 AFC Youth Championship and the 1974 AFC Youth Championship.

His senior international career with the South Korea national football team spanned from 1974 to 1986. He earned 104 caps and scored 30 goals, making him one of the most prolific goal-scoring midfielders in national team history. He participated in several major international competitions:

• Asian Games:** He won two gold medals in football at the 1978 Asian Games in Bangkok and the 1986 Asian Games in Seoul. In the 1978 final against Kuwait, he notably scored a goal that helped secure the gold medal.
• FIFA World Cup:** He was a key member of the South Korean squad for the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico. In the group stage match against Argentina, he became famous for his tenacious man-marking of Diego Maradona, even appearing to kick him in a widely circulated photo. Maradona later commented that Huh "challenged him with Taekwondo." In the final group match against Italy, Huh Jung-moo scored a goal, though South Korea ultimately lost 2-3.

His international goal-scoring record is detailed in the table below:

2.3. Style of Play

Huh Jung-moo was renowned for his versatility and tenacious playing style, earning him the nickname "Jindogae" (진돗개_{Korean Jindo Dog}^Korean), after the hunting dog breed originating from his hometown of Jindo Island. He was capable of playing in multiple positions across the field, including striker, winger, attacking midfielder, defensive midfielder, and even full-back. His game was characterized by his competitive spirit, exceptional stamina, and remarkable ability to cover vast distances on the pitch.

He was particularly adept at man-to-man marking, a skill he frequently showcased in high-profile matches. His duels with legendary Dutch player Johan Cruyff in "De Topper" (the rivalry between AFC Ajax and PSV Eindhoven) were notable, highlighting his ability to effectively neutralize key opposition players. While he was not known for rapid pace, his intelligent movement and skillful dribbling allowed him to maneuver effectively with the ball.

3.1. Early Managerial Career

Huh Jung-moo's managerial journey began in 1989 as a trainer for the South Korea national team, a role he held until 1990, including participation in the 1990 FIFA World Cup. From 1991 to 1992, he served as a coach for POSCO Atoms before being appointed head coach in 1993. In his first year as head coach, he led Pohang Atoms to win the Korean League Cup in 1993. He also served as an assistant coach for the national team leading up to the 1994 FIFA World Cup.

In 1995, he briefly took on the role of caretaker manager for the South Korea national team. Later, in June 1996, he returned to the K League as manager of Jeonnam Dragons after their previous manager, Jung Byung-tak, resigned. He enjoyed a successful stint, guiding Jeonnam Dragons to a K League runner-up finish and their first Korean FA Cup title in 1997. His success with Jeonnam Dragons earned him recognition as a capable manager.

3.2. First Term as South Korea National Team Manager (1998-2000)

Following the dismissal of Cha Bum-kun during the 1998 FIFA World Cup, Huh Jung-moo was appointed as the head coach of the South Korea national team in October 1998, a position he held concurrently with the 2000 Summer Olympics national team.

His first major challenge was the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok. The team experienced an early setback, losing 2-3 to Turkmenistan in their opening match. However, they recovered by defeating Japan, UAE, and Kuwait to reach the quarterfinals. In the quarterfinals, South Korea suffered a shocking 1-2 defeat to Thailand, a team that had two players sent off. This early exit from the tournament drew considerable criticism.

He continued to manage the Olympic team for the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. Despite achieving two wins and one loss in the group stage, an initial 0-3 defeat to Spain prevented South Korea from advancing to the quarterfinals due to goal difference. Later that year, at the 2000 AFC Asian Cup in Lebanon, South Korea reached the semifinals but lost to Saudi Arabia. The team eventually finished third in the tournament. Following these results, Huh Jung-moo resigned from the national team managerial position in October 2000. His successor was Guus Hiddink, ushering in an era of foreign managers for the South Korea national team.

3.3. Second Term at Jeonnam Dragons (2005-2007)

After his first stint as national team manager, Huh Jung-moo took on advisory roles within the Korea Football Association (KFA). He served as a technical advisor for the KFA in preparation for the 2002 FIFA World Cup and later became Vice Chairman of the KFA Technical Committee in 2004. In June 2004, he was appointed assistant coach for the national team under manager Johannes Bonfrère, but he resigned from this position by the end of the year.

In 2005, Huh Jung-moo returned to club management, taking over his former team, Jeonnam Dragons. His second tenure proved highly successful. On 30 August 2006, he achieved his 100th K League victory as a manager. He notably led Jeonnam Dragons to back-to-back Korean FA Cup titles in 2006 and 2007, becoming the first manager to achieve this feat with the club. For his achievements, he was recognized as the 'Best Manager' of the Korean FA Cup in both 2006 and 2007. His consistent performance with Jeonnam Dragons made him a strong candidate for the national team managerial role once again, especially as players he had previously mentored, such as Park Ji-sung, Lee Young-pyo, and Seol Ki-hyeon, rose to prominence under foreign coaches, validating his earlier player selections.

3.4. Second Term as South Korea National Team Manager (2007-2010)

In December 2007, after leading candidates Mick McCarthy and Gérard Houllier reportedly declined the position, Huh Jung-moo was re-appointed as the manager of the South Korea national team, ending a seven-year period of foreign management that began with Guus Hiddink. He pledged to commit his "football life" to the role, aiming for qualification to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

3.4.2. 2010 FIFA World Cup Finals

At the draw for the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals in December 2009, South Korea was placed in Group B alongside Greece, Argentina (led by Lionel Messi), and Nigeria.

Before the World Cup, the team faced a significant setback in February 2010, suffering a 0-3 defeat to China in the East Asian Championship in Japan. This loss notably ended a 32-year unbeaten run against China, a streak commonly known as 'Gonghanjeung' (공한증_{Fear of Korea}^Korean). This result made Huh Jung-moo the first South Korean manager to lose to China in a competitive match.

The World Cup campaign began on 12 June with a match against Greece. South Korea secured a decisive 2-0 victory, with Lee Jung-soo scoring an early goal from Ki Sung-yueng's free-kick, followed by Park Ji-sung's clinching goal in the second half. This marked a historic moment as it was the first time a South Korean manager had led the national team to a victory in a World Cup finals match.

On 17 June, South Korea faced Argentina. Despite adopting a defensive strategy, they conceded two goals in the first half. Lee Chung-yong managed to pull one back just before halftime, making it 1-2. However, Argentina scored two more goals in the second half, leading to a 1-4 defeat. Fortunately, Greece's 2-1 win over Nigeria kept South Korea's hopes for the Round of 16 alive, making their final group match against Nigeria decisive.

The crucial match against Nigeria took place on 23 June. South Korea conceded an early goal due to a defensive error. However, Lee Jung-soo equalized again from a Ki Sung-yueng free-kick, and Park Chu-young scored a stunning free-kick goal at the start of the second half to give South Korea a 2-1 lead. A penalty conceded by substitute Kim Nam-il allowed Nigeria to equalize. Despite further threats, the match ended in a 2-2 draw. Coupled with Argentina's 2-0 victory over Greece, this result secured South Korea's progression to the Round of 16 as Group B runners-up with one win, one draw, and one loss. This marked the first time South Korea had reached the World Cup knockout stage on foreign soil.

The Round of 16 match was played on 26 June against Uruguay. South Korea sought to avenge a 0-1 defeat from the 1990 FIFA World Cup, where Huh Jung-moo had been a trainer. Uruguay took an early lead through Luis Suárez. South Korea equalized in the second half with a header from Lee Chung-yong, but Suárez scored again to restore Uruguay's lead. South Korea ultimately lost 1-2, ending their World Cup journey in the Round of 16. On 2 July 2010, Huh Jung-moo announced his decision not to seek an extension to his contract, opting to step down from the national team role.

3.5. Incheon United Manager and Technical Advisor

After leaving the national team, Huh Jung-moo was appointed manager of Incheon United in the K League on 22 August 2010, succeeding Ilija Petković who had departed mid-season. During the 2011 season, Incheon United experienced a period of poor performance under his defensive-minded tactics. This led to significant criticism from fans, including a unique "public hearing" (청문회_cheongmunhoe^Korean) initiated by supporters expressing their dissatisfaction with the team's results.

In response to the mounting pressure, Huh Jung-moo publicly stated that he would resign if the team's performance did not improve in the 2012 season. True to his word, following continued struggles, he resigned from the Incheon United managerial position in April 2012. After his departure from Incheon United, he took on the role of technical advisory committee member for Daejeon Hana Citizen in 2014.

5.1. Political Activities

In 2016, Huh Jung-moo ventured into politics, registering as a proportional representation candidate for the Saenuri Party in the 20th National Assembly election in South Korea. He was placed 32nd on the party list but was ultimately unsuccessful in securing a seat in the National Assembly.

5.2. Football Commentary and Ambassadorial Roles

Huh Jung-moo began his career as a football commentator in 1996. He served as a football commentator for SBS during the 1998 FIFA World Cup. In early 2001, he joined KBS as a football commentator, covering major matches during the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Since the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, he has been a football commentator for MBC.

In 2005, in recognition of his roots and contributions, Huh Jung-moo was appointed as an honorary ambassador for South Jeolla Province, his home region.

6.1. Positive Assessment

As a player, Huh Jung-moo is widely recognized for his versatility, stamina, and tenacious defensive prowess, earning him the nickname 'Jindogae'. His ability to play multiple positions and his relentless man-marking, notably against Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona, made him a formidable opponent and a vital asset to his teams. His time at PSV Eindhoven showcased his talent on the European stage, and he played a crucial role in South Korea's two Asian Games gold medals.

As a manager, he is lauded for his ability to identify and nurture young talent, laying the groundwork for the success of future stars like Park Ji-sung, Lee Young-pyo, and Seol Ki-hyeon, who later excelled under foreign coaches following his first national team stint. His second tenure as national team manager is particularly celebrated for leading South Korea to the Round of 16 at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, a historic achievement as the first time a Korean manager accomplished this feat on foreign soil, doing so with an undefeated qualification campaign. His leadership in winning the Korean FA Cup three times (once with Jeonnam and twice with Pohang) further cemented his reputation as a successful club manager. In 2009, he was recognized with the AFC Coach of the Year award, acknowledging his leadership and the national team's impressive 27-game unbeaten streak.

6.2. Criticism and Major Controversies

Despite his achievements, Huh Jung-moo's career has not been without criticism and controversy. As a player, his aggressive style led to the infamous "Taekwondo football" incident during the 1986 FIFA World Cup when he tackled Diego Maradona. While some viewed this as a display of fierce determination, it also sparked debate about the physicality of Korean football.

As a manager, his first term with the national team (1998-2000) was marked by criticisms regarding the team's performance, particularly the early exit from the 1998 Asian Games and the failure to advance past the group stage at the 2000 Summer Olympics. He was criticized for relying on younger, less established players over veteran stars, a decision that ironically proved beneficial in the long run for Korean football.

His second term as national team manager saw a significant controversy in 2010 when South Korea suffered a 0-3 defeat to China at the 2010 East Asian Football Championship. This loss ended the long-standing "Gonghanjeung" (공한증_{Fear of Korea}^Korean) jinx, a 32-year unbeaten streak against China, and made him the first South Korean manager to lose to China in a competitive match, drawing considerable public backlash.

During his time as manager of Incheon United (2010-2012), he faced intense criticism from fans due to the team's poor performance and his perceived overly defensive tactics. This culminated in a rare "public hearing" initiated by disgruntled supporters, highlighting the friction between the manager and the fanbase. His subsequent resignation from Incheon United was a direct consequence of the team's continued struggles.

7.1. Individual Honours

• Korean National Football Championship top goalscorer: 1974
• Korean FA Best XI: 1974, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1984, 1985, 1986
• Korean President's Cup Best Player: 1979
• Korean FA Most Valuable Player: 1984
• K League 1 Best XI: 1984
• K League '80s All-Star Team: 2003
• Korean FA Cup Best Manager: 1997, 2006, 2007
• AFC Coach of the Year: 2009
• Sports Seoul Professional Football Grand Prize 'Manager of the Year': 2007

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  Order of Sports Merit, Baengma (4th Class): 1979

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  Order of Sports Merit, Geosang (3rd Class): 1986

7.2. Club and National Team Honours (as Player)

• Yonsei University**
  • Korean National Championship runner-up: 1974
• ROK Navy FC**
  • Korean President's Cup: 1979
• Hyundai Horang-i**
  • Korean League Cup: 1986
• South Korea U20**
  • AFC Youth Championship third place: 1973, 1974
• South Korea**
  • Asian Games Gold Medal: 1978, 1986

7.3. Club and National Team Honours (as Manager)

• POSCO Atoms**
  • Korean League Cup: 1993
• Jeonnam Dragons**
  • K League runner-up: 1997
  • Korean FA Cup: 1997, 2006, 2007
  • Korean League Cup runner-up: 1997
• South Korea**
  • AFC Asian Cup third place: 2000
  • EAFF Championship Gold Medal: 2008
  • EAFF Championship Silver Medal: 2010
  • FIFA World Cup Round of 16: 2010