João Aroso says goodbye after two years with South Korea

João Aroso, assistant coach of South Korea’s national team, officially said farewell on Monday via Instagram after the squad’s 2026 World Cup campaign ended. In his final message following the team’s group-stage exit, Aroso struck a humble tone: “Winning doesn’t make everything good, and losing doesn’t make everything bad.”

He opened with an apology to the fans: “I’m sorry to everyone who always cheered us on,” adding, “After seeing what we showed as a team over the past two years, I truly believed we could advance further in this tournament, so the disappointment runs deep.” South Korea finished the group stage with one win and two losses, sitting third with three points and a recent run of three straight defeats (LWL).

Growth as a coach and gratitude to Korean football

Aroso reflected on his tenure: “Even though the two-year contract is over, I’ve grown a lot as a coach through this experience,” noting that “the tough moments were real, but the time spent on the pitch coaching with real passion was invaluable.” He praised Korea’s strengths and passion, calling the country “a nation with remarkable advantages,” and added, “From one of the poorest in the world after the 1953 armistice, Korea has become one of the most advanced nations today.”

He also thanked “the KFA, head coach Hong Myung-bo, and every staff member who welcomed me warmly and helped me adapt to a new culture.” South Korea beat Ghana 1-0 on November 18, 2025, but exited the 2026 World Cup at the group stage in third place.

A promise to the fans and a look ahead

Aroso told fans, “I’m truly sorry that I couldn’t deliver on the belief you placed in us to go further,” before adding, “It’s time to prepare for the next challenge,” and calling the experience “a huge asset.” South Korea scored twice and conceded three times in the group stage for a -1 goal difference, sitting six points behind group leaders Mexico.

The road ahead for Korean football and Aroso’s legacy

Aroso spoke highly of Korea’s potential, calling his time in the country “a great honor.” He emphasized that the nation’s strong will and passion are the driving forces behind its football growth. South Korea finished the World Cup group stage with one win and two losses, and has logged three wins, one draw, and one loss in its last five matches (WWWLD).