hankyoreh

Pim Verbeek, South Korea's national soccer team coach, has offered to resign amid media criticism over his ability to effectively lead his squad, a soccer official said Sunday.

Verbeek had earlier notified the Korea Football Association of his intention to step down following the Asian Cup match against Japan that ended late Saturday night at Jaka Baring Stadium, Lee Won-jae, an Association official said.

The resignation offer comes amid an outpour of criticism in South Korean media that the dutchman has failed to effectively train his squad and devise viable tactics to prevail in the Asian Cup co-hosted by four Southeast Asian nations, including Indonesia.

The 51-year-old coach, who had previously assisted countryman Guus Hiddink in South Korea's unprecedented drive to the semi-final of the World Cup in 2002, took the helm of the team in 2006, signing a two-year deal with the Association. Verbeek also served under the dutch coach Dick Advocaat on the South Korean team from 2005 before the signing.

"The contract is supposed to expire next year, but he told the Association he would like to end the contract upon the match against Japan," Lee said.

Despite a third place finish at the Asian Cup, the South Korean team has been under media fire over its lack of goals throughout the tournament and a near elimination in the group phase, eventually failing to claim the title it has coveted for over 40 years.

Verbeek said Friday he would make up his mind following the Saturday match.

"I said I have made up my mind already and everybody who knows me knows I never change my mind," he told reporters. The game ended with South Korea's 6-5 penalty shoot-out victory over Japan.

Verbeek had previously managed Kyoto Purple Sanga -- now Kyoto Sanga -- and Omiya Ardija in the J-League. As a player, he spent most of his career at Sparta Rotterdam, a professional Dutch team.
PALEMBANG, Indonesia, July 29 (Yonhap News)