Harrison: Son Heung-min, longtime captain of the South Korean men's national football team, is not overly concerned about recent remarks from his head coach, Hong Myung-bo, regarding a potential change in his leadership role. Son, who has served as South Korea's captain since 2018, addressed the comments for the first time at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey, ahead of a match against the U.S.
According to Yonhap News Agency, head coach Hong Myung-bo suggested a possible captaincy change while announcing the squad for upcoming friendlies in the United States. Hong did not explicitly support Son when asked before traveling to America, mentioning only the possibility of changes leading up to the FIFA World Cup next year.
Son responded to questions about the coach's comments, stating he felt no discomfort and emphasized the importance of players performing their best in their current roles. "There's no reason for me to feel uncomfortable. I don't really have anything to say to that," Son remarked. He reiterated his commitment to the team and acknowledged having a meeting with Hong, though he chose not to disclose details.
Son dismissed any notion that his leadership was under scrutiny, asserting, "Absolutely not." For the current U.S. trip, which includes a match against Mexico in Nashville, Tennessee, Son will retain his captaincy.
Son praised the efforts of veteran team members in assisting younger players and stressed creating a supportive environment for his teammates. "My job is to make the environment as comfortable as possible for my teammates, so that they can play to the best of their abilities," he added.
Looking ahead to the FIFA World Cup, Son encouraged his teammates to embrace challenges and focus on performance rather than immediate results. "For younger players, I believe that playing the way they're capable of playing at stadiums away from home will be a major confidence boost," Son noted.
Discussing his playing position, Son maintained a "team first" approach. While he typically plays on the wings, he is open to taking on the striker role, a position he has recently filled for Los Angeles Football Club in Major League Soccer. "I feel comfortable at both positions. I think they both allow me to play at my best," he explained.
In the upcoming match, Son will face his former Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino, who became the U.S. head coach last September. Reflecting on their time together, Son expressed respect for Pochettino and anticipated a competitive encounter. "He made me the player that I am now. I have a lot of respect for him," Son said.