In the early 1990s, he was involved with the North Korean national team. In June 1991, he signed a six-month contract with the PRKFA, acting as a technical adviser to manager Hong Hyon-chol.[4][5] During this time, North Korea beat the United States 2–1 in a friendly match.[6] After Hong's sacking in October 1993, the PRKFA turned to Csernai to become the national team's manager.