It has been reported that German coach Jurgen Klinsmann (59), who was scheduled to depart Korea next week, has already left Korea for the U.S. The Korea Football Association (KFA) has decided to hold a meeting to review the Asian Cup after the Lunar New Year holiday and discuss the management of the national team. However, with Klinsmann heading to the U.S., it is questionable whether practical discussions will be possible.
According to the KFA on the 11th, Klinsmann left for the U.S., where he lives. It has not been decided when Klinsmann will return to Korea. After finishing his Asian Cup schedule on the 8th, Klinsmann returned to Incheon International Airport and told reporters that he was scheduled to leave next week, but contrary to what he said, he left Korea in a hurry.
The Korean national soccer team, led by Klinsmann, headed to Qatar to relieve the resentment of 64 years, but bowed its head after losing 0-2 to Jordan, the semifinal opponent, in a frustrating performance. Star players such as Son Heung-min (31, Tottenham), Kim Min-jae (27, Bayern Munich), and Lee Kang-in (22, Paris Saint-Germain) joined the team, which was evaluated as having an “all-time-class” squad, but the evaluation was overshadowed.
Criticism reached its peak against Klinsmann, who had a dismal result after being eliminated from the tournament. The coach was criticized with a smile, saying he would respect the opponent team in the face of defeat as well as sloppy leadership. Despite the controversy, however, Klinsmann said he has no intention of resigning, vowing to continue taking the helm, adding that he will prepare again for the upcoming 2026 FIFA North-Central American World Cup qualifier.
After the national team returned from Qatar, the KFA decided to take time to look back at the tournament and review the overall part through the Power Enhancement Committee to efficiently operate the national team in the future. Coach Klinsmann was also expected to join the meeting, but he is not expected to attend the meeting in person as he leaves for the U.S. earlier than scheduled.
It is questionable whether meaningful stories can be exchanged without key figures. Although he has created an important position for the management of the national team in the future, there is no coach Klinsmann who has to stand at the center and make his case. Coach Klinsmann, the factor in this situation, disappeared to enjoy a leisurely vacation when the tournament ended because it was not enough to talk about what was lacking and how to find improvement.
Even before the event, Klinsmann’s irresponsible behavior continued, but no one controlled Klinsmann. The KFA did not issue a warning to Klinsmann, who caused controversy over his overseas trip, but neglected him without taking proper measures. The problems of Klinsmann, who failed to focus on the essence and ran the national team with the same tactics and squad, eventually broke out in the upcoming event, causing disgraceful disaster.
Klinsmann was originally a leader who was far from being sincere throughout his career. He was criticized for his lack of communication since he was the coach of Bayern Munich, and when he was the coach of Hertha Berlin, he committed unprecedented atrocities in expressing his resignation through social networking services without consulting with the board of directors. Klinsmann, who seemed unlikely to win the job again, took the helm of Korea after a three-year hiatus. 꽁머니
There has been a lot of talk since the appointment of Klinsmann, but the foreboding was not wrong. What’s more worrisome is that Klinsmann’s appearance shows no signs of improvement, and KFA has not offered any clear measures to deal with the issue.