South Korea boss sacked

Park Hang-seo was handed the job after former boss Guus Hiddink resigned at the end of the 2002 World Cup.

But, following his country's disappointing showing in the Asian Games, he was dismissed.

Kim Jin-kook, head of the South Korean football association's technical committee, announced the decision on Saturday.

He said: "Coach Park lacked experience as a coach and leadership for the team."

Park, Hiddink's assistant coach during the World Cup, was appointed back in August after his predecessor moved to PSV Eindhoven.

South Korea had enjoyed unprecedented success in the tournament, reaching the semi-finals before losing to eventual runners-up Germany.

The national side, though, have since failed to lived up to their performances in the Far East.

At this month's Asian Games, they took the bronze medal after losing to Iran in the semis.

After that defeat, Park had said: "As the team coach I feel really sorry."

He insisted, though, the weight of expectation in the wake of the World Cup had been too great.

"There's always too much pressure because of finishing fourth in the World Cup," he said.

South Korea will try and select a new domestic coach but have not ruled out appointing another foreign boss.