North Korea to Change Manager for World Cup

It’s very easy to feel sorry for the people if not the nation of North Korea. Still practically enslaved by a tyrannical Communist regime and burdened by poverty and famine, one of the few highlights for the people must be their unlikely qualification for the World Cup finals under the guidance of Kim Jong-Hun.

Once there, they drew practically the worst possible draw with Brazil from the top seeds pot, Portugal from the European pot and Ivory Coast from the African pot. It would be easily the Group of Death if anyone thought all four sides had a chance of qualifying, but nobody gives the North Koreans a snowball’s chance in a furnace.

It seems now that the North Korean football authorities have little confidence in Jong-Hun. According to the Nikkan Sports Daily, former Japan coach Philippe Troussier has been offered the job of managing North Korea at next year’s World Cup.

The Frenchman led Japan to the last 16 in the 2002 World Cup on home turf.

Troussier himself has confirmed the contact.

“They (the North Koreans) made contact with me. But I cannot comment on it because nothing has been completed yet, but I’m open to challenges made by Asian countries. Besides, I have experience in Asia. I can bring that experience to the team. It will be a wonderful adventure if I can join the 2010 World Cup as a coach.

Troussier is currently the general manager of Japan’s third division side FC Ryukyu, but was scheduled to visit North Korea last Monday. But his visit has been delayed because of his visa being processed late, according to Nikkan.