For Jürgen Klinsmann and the South Korean national football team, their dream of winning the Asian Cup title has shattered prematurely. The coach received harsh criticism because of his departure.
Former national soccer coach Jürgen Klinsmann surprisingly failed with South Korea in the semi-finals of the Asian Cup and has now had to accept criticism for it. The World Cup round of 16 deservedly lost 0-2 (0-0) at the finals in Qatar after a weak performance against outsiders Jordan. The dream of the first title since 1960 is over.
For the Korean media, the coach is primarily responsible for the elimination. The newspaper “Chosun Ilbo” writes: “Klinsmann’s Qatar disaster. They lost against Jordan without a single shot on goal. The defense was sloppy, the offense lacked organized passing.”
“Useless tactics”
The defeat is described as “the worst game at a major tournament in recent years”. There was a lack of tactics and bite. Aside from his footballing performance on the pitch, Klinsmann also caused a stir with another action: when he walked onto the pitch after the final whistle, he smiled.
The newspaper “Hankook Ilbo” did not celebrate the scene and wrote: “Klinsmann laughs at the catastrophe with 0 shots on goal. The head coach smiles despite a defeat with strange tactics and incomprehensible substitutions.” The style of play was also criticized by the paper: “Since the ball didn’t get through midfield, the pointless tactic of long balls continued.”
And further: “It was a game in which Klinsmann’s ‘non-tactics’ came into their own.” The timing of his substitutions was also surprising, “but Klinsmann still ran across the pitch with a smile after the devastating defeat.”
Klinsmann comments on the criticism
The coach himself reacted to the criticism: “It’s about congratulating the other team and respecting them. Congratulating the opponent is part of it even if you’re a loser, and I shook my opponent’s hand and smiled,” said Klinsmann the game.
Klinsmann has been training the South Korean national team since the beginning of March 2023. Among his players is Min-jae Kim from FC Bayern. Klinsmann’s contract runs until 2026.