South Korea's national football team coach Myung-Bo Hong has recently voiced his frustration with FC Bayern Munich, blaming the club for failing to adequately protect defender Min-Jae Kim from injury. Hong's comments come on the eve of pivotal World Cup qualifying matches for South Korea against Oman on March 20, 2025, and Jordan on March 25, 2025. This absence is particularly significant, as Kim is considered not only integral to his club but is also seen as a key player for the national team.
"Unfortunately, Bayern Munich did not properly protect the player to avoid injuries," Hong stated, as reported by the Yonhap news agency. The coach emphasized the importance of taking injuries seriously, particularly when players like Kim, who has been struggling with issues related to his Achilles tendon since last autumn, are concerned.
Reportedly, Bayern's head coach Vincent Kompany confirmed just last week during pre-match activities for the team’s away match against Union Berlin, stating, "He will not be available for the next few weeks," which casts doubt on Kim's participation during this key phase of the World Cup qualification.
The situation is especially frustrating for Hong, who explained, "So we find ourselves in a situation where we have to play these important games without a key player." Acknowledging the pressures surrounding international competition, the coach expressed concern over potentially detrimental effects on the national team due to Kim's absence.
Hong pointed out signs of Kim's chronic injury issues, noting, "We were fully aware of it" since last year when Kim began showcasing discomfort. Nevertheless, it seems the level of attention paid to managing Kim's condition was insufficient, resulting in his current predicament.
Details surrounding Kim’s injury reveal complications common among athletes. The Achilles tendon irritation is noted as a typical overuse injury. Commentators have indicated possible contributing factors such as training volume, insufficient recovery time, and even periods of significantly heavier training due to military service, which Kim went through, resulting in noticeable weight changes and muscle mass loss.
To put it lightly, Hong is understandably discontent with the way events have unfolded, particularly as South Korea heads toward its World Cup qualifiers, needing victory to secure their place at the tournament scheduled to be held across North America. Having had success and experience coaching at high levels, including taking over the national team from Jürgen Klinsmann last summer, Hong understands just how precious each player is to the overall strategy and execution on the field.
Kim, who had initially been named as part of the national squad, saw his chances of participating evaporate after Kompany's declaration about his injury. Hong elaborated on why they had to withdraw Kim, stating, "Only because we have important matches coming up, we could not keep Min-Jae Kim for these games, because it would be contrary to our principles of player protection." This principled stance highlights the increasing importance of player welfare within professional sports.
Looking forward, South Korea's team will be counting on the resilience of their remaining players, including star forward Heung-min Son from Tottenham. With two home wins being the target, Hong’s team is determined to grasp hold of their World Cup aspirations amid the adversity.
While Hong's criticism of Bayern Munich reverberates through the football community, it also puts forth broader discussions on injury management, the responsibilities of clubs to their players, and the sometimes harsh realities of transitioning roles—from club football to national representation. The crossroads of commitment to player development, protection, and the battle for success presents continuous challenges not just for Kim but for numerous athletes facing similar dilemmas.
