Hong Myung-bo: Hangzhou side can do wonders

Former South Korea head coach Hong Myung-bo officially signed a two-year contract with Chinese super league side Hangzhou Greentown here on Monday.

He replaced Yang Ji who was brought in as a caretaker after Philippe Troussier was sacked in the middle of last season.

The 47-year-old Hong is the first South Korean playing four consecutive World Cup finals, winning the tournament's Bronze Ball award in 2002. He was the only South Korean named as one of the best 100 players in the world when FIFA celebrated its centenary anniversary, and retired at the age of 35 in Los Angeles.

Among his feats, Hong guided South Korea to the bronze medals in the 2012 Olympics in London. He began to coach the South Korean national team in 2013, and resigned later over poor team performance which sparked discontent among fans at home.

"Excitement is greater than anxiety, for it's a new start," said Hong on Monday, who has never coached a club side.

Despite several disappointing seasons, Hangzhou Greentown has the most complete youth training system in China. Its youth team has just won the Chinese super elite league at U18 level, and this is the reason why Hong chose to join.

"Greentown's young players have unlimited potential," he said. "If they are given the right kind of training, these teenagers may one day grow into international stars.

"South Korea got into semifinals in the 2002 World Cup and captured the bronze in the 2012 London Olympics. There truly can be miracle on the football field, and I hope that we can work wonders."

When asked about the goal for the season, Hong said it was not the right time to talk since he hadn't met any of his players yet.

"Higher goal is good, but we should be realistic. I will set goals after winter training," he said. Enditem