(Yonhap) — South Korea’s football governing body announced Thursday (KST) it has rejected a resignation offer by men’s national team head coach Hong Myung-bo in the wake of the country’s winless FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

At a press conference, Huh Jung-moo, vice president of the Korea Football Association (KFA), also said the beleaguered bench boss will stay on board for at least the remainder of his contract, which runs through the Asian Cup tournament in January 2015.

South Korea had one draw and two losses in Group H in Brazil, for its first winless World Cup since 1998. Hong had come under pressure to step down to take the fall for the performance but had been noncommittal about his future.

“Coach Hong’s resignation in light of the disappointing World Cup isn’t the best solution,” Huh said. “We’ve decided to trust him and support him going forward.”