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Jürgen Klinsmann takes part in a virtual meeting on the Korean men’s national football team’s showing at the AFC Asian Cup in Qatar, held on Feb. 15, 2023. (pool photo/Yonhap)

The Korea Football Association called Jürgen Klinsmann on the phone on Friday to dismiss him from his position as head coach of the Korean men’s national football team. Klinsmann, who was appointed in late February 2023, was booted from his role less than 365 days into his contract.
 
Officials from the association met with the press at the KFA House in Seoul’s Jongno District on Friday to announce the decision.

“An executive meeting was held at 10 am [on Friday], and the discussion concluded at around noon. Because it was prudent to communicate the decision to Klinsmann before stating the association’s position, we communicated [the decision] over a telephone call,” the official said. The KFA’s president, Chung Mong-gyu, had called the meeting to discuss the national team’s predicament. 
 
One day prior to Klinsmann’s sacking, a meeting of a committee dedicated to the national team was held at the KFA House in Seoul. Following Thursday’s meeting, Hwangbo Kwan, the association’s technical director stated, “For various reasons, we have concluded that coach Klinsmann can no longer exercise leadership as the national team’s coach and needs to be replaced. The members of the committee have come to a consensus on his dismissal, and we will soon report this to the association.” 

The German coach’s successor is expected to be appointed promptly, as the national team is scheduled to face Thailand in March in the second Asian qualifier for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The KFA’s advisory committee for the national team will begin the search for a new head coach, shortlisting candidates so that the executive board can choose the best replacement.
 
With so little time to spare, a decision is expected to be made by the end of February. Soccer experts believe that a South Korean coach will be chosen, as the team is preparing for the World Cup qualifiers in March.
 
Hwang Sun-hong, the current coach of the men’s Olympic team, or Hong Myung-bo, the head coach of Ulsan Hyundai, are among the favorites for the position.
 
The committee also discussed the recent internal discord within the national team, namely between Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in.
 
“Coach Klinsmann agreed that the internal disputes between Lee Kang-in and Son Heung-min, which included a physical altercation, affected the quarterfinal match against Jordan,” Hwangbo said during Thursday’s press conference. Klinsmann, who is currently in the US, participated in the meeting via videoconference.
 
“Some have expressed concern that the national team was unable to recover so as to unleash its ultimate potential under Klinsmann’s leadership. Many criticized Klinsmann’s lack of tactical preparation in the semifinals against Jordan,” Hwangbo went on to say.
 
However, Klinsmann “refused to admit that there were any tactical problems,” Hwangbo added.
 
Klinsmann came into the tournament with the goal of helping Korea clinch the Asian Cup for the first time in 64 years, but was criticized for his lack of tactical preparation, such as his defense strategy, and his inability to keep the team together in the face of internal conflict.

With Klinsmann out before even finishing out a full year, the KFA will be forced to pay out a major penalty for breach of contract. Klinsmann’s contract included a clause that outstanding salary must be paid out in the event of dismissal, and Klinsmann had two and a half years left on his contract. 

By Kim Chang-keum, senior staff writer

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