Klinsmann’s start as a coach in South Korea: Solid debut, big plans

Jürgen Klinsmann had long disappeared from the scene, now he wants to aim high as national coach in South Korea. However, he missed out on victory on his debut as head coach against Colombia.

In a black hoodie, with a permanent grin despite the constant rain – and of course without knowing the lyrics, Jürgen Klinsmann witnessed the national anthem of South Korea. For the first time in his new job as national coach of South Korea. At a friendly game in Ulsan, in the south-east of the country.

You could feel the joy of the new task at any time. Especially after the two goals from ex-Bundesliga star Heung-Min Son in the first half. A perfect start for Klinsmann. And the Korean reporters were in surprisingly good shape for a friendly too. In the end it was 2:2 on the scoreboard.

Defensively still room for improvement

As a trained striker, Klinsmann had already announced in advance that he wanted to play offensively. The fact that there is still room for improvement defensively was not surprising. “At the end of the day we have to win football games. But that’s a process. It doesn’t happen overnight,” said Klinsmann. “We’re starting with it now and I’m curious to see if we’ll develop step by step and then the results will come.”

The big goal is the title at the Asian Championships in early 2024. South Korea has not won a major title in more than 60 years. Klinsmann wants to change that. Will he and his well-known coaching team around assistant coach Andreas Herzog and goalkeeping coach Andreas Köpke succeed? The South Koreans are still skeptical.

Klinsmann wants to learn Korean

Klinsmann’s inglorious departure from Hertha BSC and the fact that he hasn’t looked after a national team since 2016 were definitely an issue – even on the other side of the world. But Sunnyboy Klinsmann tries to get people on his side in a charming way: “It’s all new to me. But I really want to learn Korean in the coming years. I love languages, but I also know: Korean is damn difficult. But me I’ve already taken lessons and will continue to take lessons. But it takes time.”

Incidentally, his predecessor, the Portuguese Paulo Bento, had not even tried to learn the language. Of course, Klinsmann collects plus points with it. And if there are any communication difficulties, then Klinsmann always has Heung-Min Son. He’s the captain, scores the goals, speaks German very well and of course can also sing the national anthem.