Hong, Hiddink likely to reunite a Anzhi

Hong Myung-bo, left, was the captain of the Korea team Guus Hiddink led to the semifinals of the 2002 World Cup. / Korea Times file

Hong Myung-bo is likely to be reunited with his former boss Guus Hiddinik at Russian outfit Anzhi Makhachkala as part of the coaching staff there.

The 43-year-old said in a media interview that while reflecting on his post-Olympic career, he has decided to go through coaching training in Europe and chose Anzhi after contacting Hiddink.

Hong, who guided his squad to a football bronze medal at the London Olympics in August, was captain of the Hiddink-managed Korea national team that advanced to the semifinals of the 2002 World Cup.

“It is true that I am seeking coaching training at Anzhi. I told the club through Hiddink that I am interested in studying under him. But I am waiting for an answer from the team” Hong said.

If he gets the final nod, he is expected to serve as an assistant coach learning about running a football club, preparing for fixtures and analyzing matches among other duties.

“I think it (working at Anzhi) will help me evolve to another tier as a manager,” he said.

Ahead of contacting the Russian club, Hong had planned to further his career in England, but Premier League outfits barely allowed him to visit team practices so he turned his sights to Russia.

Hiddink, 66, is set to end his coaching career after the current season, so this will be a final chance for Hong to study under his former mentor.

Anzhi, founded in 1991, hired the Dutch coach in February this year and are ranked second behind CSKA Moscow in the Russian Premier League. Via big spending, the club has landed high-profile footballers such as Samuel Eto’o, Lassana Diarra, Yuri Zhirkov and Christopher Samba.

A move to Russia is seen as the final piece in the puzzle on Hong’s way to becoming a club manager.

The ex-defender, one of the most illustrious Korean footballers with four World Cup finals appearances and 136 caps for his country, has coached the nation’s under-20 and under-23 squads, but has yet to lead a pro side.

If Hong’s appointment is approved by Anzhi, he is likely to join the team in January, when it is scheduled to hold a training session in the United Arab Emirates. <The Korea Times/Kang Seung-woo>