I shed tears out of regret for the failure of the 2014 Brazil World Cup.
A second soccer life as a Jeju SK youth advisor
Koo Ja-cheol (36), the star of the 2012 London Olympics bronze medal legend, took off his soccer shoes. He said his final words as a soccer player, saying, “I want to be remembered as a player who gave joy,” and expressed his ambition, “I will continue to play for Korean soccer even after I take off my soccer shoes.”
On the 14th, Koo Ja-cheol held a retirement press conference at the soccer club in Sinmun-ro, Seoul, marking the end of his 18-year career as a player that began in 2007.
Koo Ja-cheol scored 19 goals in 76 international matches and 5 goals in 16 games for the U23 national team while wearing the Taegeuk flag, and helped win a bronze medal as a member of the ‘Hong Myung-bo’ at the 2012 London Olympics. On the professional stage, he played as a key player in Jeju SK, Wolfsburg, Augsburg, Mainz (Germany), and Al-Gharafa (Qatar).
Koo Ja-cheol, who started a new soccer career as a Jeju SK youth advisor, said, “When I played in Germany, I learned a lot about soccer administration, management, and youth. Fortunately, Jeju, where I was raised, gave me a position as a youth advisor. “I want to do something that is not in a hurry but is thorough,” he expressed his ambition.
Koo Ja-cheol was the first to retire compared to his close friends Lee Chung-yong and Ki Sung-yong.
Regarding this, he said, “In our generation, we have talked a lot about not overlooking the work that needs to be done for the development of Korean soccer even after retirement,” and expressed his opinion, “I will do my best step by step even after retirement so as not to rush and miss the job.”
Meanwhile, Koo Ja-cheol still had a burden on his mind about his failure at the 2014 Brazil World Cup, in which he participated as captain.
He said, “I want to atone for that time. Players participating in the World Cup have social responsibilities, but I was too young at the time and lacked that. Because of my shortcomings, I left regrets to the people and gave very irresponsible results to those who were able to make a living or benefit from the World Cup. “I’m still sorry,” he said, shedding tears.
On the other hand, the most memorable moment was the moment when he went up to the podium to receive a medal at the 2012 London Olympics.
When asked what kind of player he would like to be remembered as, he said, “I want to remain as a member of the team when he became the first Korean soccer player to win a medal at the Olympics, and as a player who brought joy.”
The following is a Q&A from Koo Ja-cheol’s retirement press conference.
-How do you feel about retirement?
▶I have been thinking about retirement for several years. He was determined not only to put on soccer shoes and play, but also to play a role in the development of Korean soccer even after retirement. Since playing in Germany, I have learned a lot about soccer administration, management, and youth. Fortunately, Jeju, where I was raised, gave me a position as a youth advisor. I want to try to do something that is not rushed but has some knots.
-Looking back on your time as a player, what is the most memorable moment?
▶I remember winning a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics and going up to the podium looking at the national flag.
-There was an interview where you said you would take off your soccer shoes if you lost the Korea-Japan game again when you were active.
▶I remember August 11, 2011. At that time, I moved from Wolfsburg to Hanover, from Hanover to Incheon, and from Incheon to Sappor to play in the Korea-Japan match, but my body did not move. It was my first experience. I was very distressed and sorry at the time, but I did not forget that shame and reflected on it, so I was able to win the next Korea-Japan match (the bronze medal match at the London Olympics).
-What are the three most memorable goals for the national team?
▶I remember the goal scored from a penalty kick against the United States in the 2009 U20 World Cup. At that time, as I opened my arms and celebrated, I felt like I had overcome all the pain for this thrill. The second is the goal against Australia in the 2011 Asian Cup. The thrill of touching it the way I wanted and kicking it in the way I wanted still lingers in my toes. The last goal was against Uzbekistan in November 2016. (Hong) Cheol lifted the ball and (Kim) Shin-wook dropped the ball into the goal, and strangely enough, I still remember it.
One more thing to say about 3+1 is the goal from the Korea-Japan match at the London Olympics. In that competition, I scored a goal because I had the determination to score a goal no matter what, even when goals were not scored, such as hitting the goal post.
-Is there a moment you regret after retirement?
▶Of course there is. It’s the 2014 Brazil World Cup. I still keep the pain, atonement, and regret in my heart to this day. Although I earned the title of youngest World Cup captain at the time, I am not proud at all. Players participating in the World Cup have social responsibilities, but I was too young at the time and lacked that. Because of my shortcomings, I left regrets to the people and gave very irresponsible results to those who were able to make a living or benefit from the World Cup. I’m still sorry.
-He decided to retire before his friends Lee Chung-yong and Ki Sung-yong, who were with him during his playing days.
▶These are friends who provide great strength. In the chat room where we talked together, the two players expressed their disappointment and said that they had a hard time. When I told him that I had received many offers, he also advised me to ‘just do one’. He told me to pave the way for him as I am retiring first. I want to tell them here, without shame, that they are doing well and that I am grateful.
-Did the three players discuss what they would do together after retirement?
▶First of all, the common opinion is that we should not be greedy and rush to do things wrong. Our generation also said that we must play our part in changing Korean soccer. If I were alone, I could act alone and make a mistake, but I have friends like Lee Chung-yong and Ki Sung-yong who can do great things for Korean soccer. We will work hard together.
-As a youth advisor, what kind of know-how would you like to pass on to Jeju?
▶I have no intention of changing in a hurry. There is respect and respect for those who previously worked there. First of all, I will take the role of watching from the side for this year and asking for help when I experience difficulties. I have a firm belief that it would be great to help change the youth system in a more positive way. I will not give up and will do my best as wisely as possible.
-What is the difference between the past K-League and the current K-League?
▶The overall level has increased significantly. But there is still more to go than the way we came. In short, we have a great infrastructure, but there is a lot more that needs to change. The first thing that needs to change is the grass. If the grass is not good, the players suffer and the fans who come to watch suffer. It is true that it is too hot to manage, but it is an excuse. The lawn needs to be changed, even if it means making institutional improvements.
-What is the difference between the leadership of former captain Koo Ja-cheol and the current captain Son Heung-min?
▶It’s difficult to comment on what Heungmin does as captain because I haven’t seen it in person. It’s been a long time since I was captain. During my time as captain, I focused on helping players escape burden and pressure and play as freely as possible.
-What was the decisive reason for your decision to retire?
▶The muscles cannot hold on. The same goes for knees and ankles. In the past, even if I got injured while exercising, I thought, ‘This is enough, let’s do it,’ but that doesn’t work anymore. As I was going through such difficult times over and over again, I thought I should take off my soccer shoes without any regrets. I have a dream for retirement in my mind, but I don’t want to say it out loud yet.
-What would you like to say to yourself when you retire?
▶Navona would like to say thank you to my father who helped me get to this point. I am also grateful to my wife who worked hard raising our children alone in a foreign country. It’s all thanks to the power of family. Now, I hope my family stands out more than me.
-What would you like to say to youth who dream of becoming the next Koo Ja-cheol?
▶The goal must be clearly set. When I was in middle school, my goal was to participate in the U20 World Cup. At that time, while watching (Baek) Jihoon being interviewed at the airport, I trained with the mindset of ‘I will become a youth representative.’ The first thing is to set a goal. Having a goal creates motivation, which makes a difference in behavior.
-What is your goal as a Jeju youth advisor?
▶I want to help the team by strengthening the composition of Jeju players and nurturing the players well financially. The most basic and important goal is to discover good players and help them grow well, settle down in the first team, and become the mainstay of Korean soccer.
-If you compare Yang Min-hyuk now with Koo Ja-cheol when he was young.
▶There is nothing to worry about. Yang Minhyuk is better.
-What would you like to say to your juniors who dream of going overseas?
▶You must organize your thoughts clearly and achieve your goals. What matters is how excited you are and how you achieve it afterwards. If I want to do something crazy, my body moves and I do it. It is also important to get motivated by looking at the players around you. As I watched (Ki) Seongyong go abroad, my motivation grew stronger from ‘I want to go’ to ‘I have to go’.
-What kind of player do you want to be remembered as?
▶I want to be remembered as a member who was with the first Korean soccer player to win a medal at the Olympics. Although there were many disappointments in 2014, I still want to remain as a player who brought joy.
(Seoul = News 1)