PAULO Bento has left his post as South Korea’s manager after their 4-1 defeat by Brazil.
Bento, 53, has been in charge of the South Korea national team since 2018.
Paulo Bento has stepped down as South Korea managerAlamy
He won 35 of his 57 matches in charge, but South Korea suffered a disappointing quarter-final exit at the 2019 Asian Cup and could not upset the odds against Brazil.
Following that defeat, Bento said: “I have just announced to the players and the president of the federation that this is a decision I took in September.
“It is set in stone and I have confirmed it. I have to thank everyone for everything they have done.”
He added: “From now onwards we have to think about the future. I’m going to rest and we have to see what will happen after I rest.
“We have to congratulate Brazil because they were better than us.”
However a spokesperson from the South Korea federation reportedly intervened during the press conference to deny Bento had quit.
He claimed the Portuguese was just taking a rest and considering his future, but it appears Bento has actually left his role.
Bento becomes the third manager to leave his job at the World Cup following Roberto Martinez’s resignation as Belgium boss.
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Mexico manager Tata Martino was also axed after failing to qualify for the knock-out round, losing out to Argentina and Poland.
South Korea progressed to the last-16 after dramatically beating Portugal in their final group game.
But they failed to replicate that shock and were blown away by a Brazil side who turned on the samba flair.
Goals from Vinicius Jr, Neymar, Richarlison and Lucas Paqueta put the five-time champions 4-0 up within 36 minutes to send South Korea home.
