Former national soccer coach Jo Bonfrere on Thursday departed for the Netherlands after resigning last month.

Speaking to reporters at Incheon International Airport, he apologized for not completing his job and thanked fans for their support and encouragement.

Bonfrere said that in retrospect, his greatest mistake was to insist on doing everything himself, and urged the new coach to get to know the players' technique and mentality and do what he could not.

The Dutchman spent a turbulent 14 months as coach, coming under fire for a string of disappointing losses that led to calls for his ouster from the media.