Jürgen Klinsmann is threatened with retirement as coach of the South Korean national soccer team. An advisory committee of the Korean Football Association (KFA) made the recommendation on Thursday to end the collaboration with the former national coach.
“We agree that Klinsmann cannot exercise his leadership as head coach of the national team for various reasons and that a change in leadership is necessary,” said Hwangbo Kwan of the KFA National Team Committee.
However, the committee does not decide on Klinsmann’s future as head coach. The committee only passes on its recommendation to the board, which must make a decision. The final decision now lies in the hands of the KFA governing body and association president Chung Mong Gyu.
The 59-year-old Klinsmann was exposed to strong criticism in South Korea even before his team’s 2-0 defeat against outsiders Jordan in the semi-finals of the Asian Cup in Qatar. Afterwards, fans vehemently called for his resignation.
It was recently announced that there were power struggles within the team during the tournament. According to media reports, there was even a serious argument the evening before the semi-final exit at the Asian Cup. Team captain Heung-Min Son dislocated a finger.
The 31-year-old Son and other older players were annoyed that younger players left dinner early to play table tennis, the South Korean news agency Yonhap reported on Wednesday, citing a KFA representative. After an initial exchange of words, an argument developed and Son was injured.
The British tabloid “The Sun” first reported the incident last week. Son competed in the semi-final against Jordan with a bandage on his index and middle fingers on his right hand.
Hwangbo Kwan from the KFA National Team Committee: Leadership change necessary : Image: AFP
Kangin Lee from Paris Saint-Germain, who was probably involved in the dispute, admitted the incident on social media and apologized. It was said that he had caused great disappointment among fans who had always supported the South Korean national team.
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Klinsmann has been looking after South Korea’s national team since the beginning of last year. During this time the criticism of him never stopped. According to the South Korean news agency Yonhap, Klinsmann joined the crisis meeting virtually from his adopted US hometown. His contract runs until the 2026 World Cup final.
