Nam Hyun-woo has worked as a staff writer at The Korea Times since 2013, mostly covering business and politics. He currently belongs to the Business Desk where he covers topics such as emerging tech, AI, ICT and Korea's chaebol community. Prior to joining the team, he was the paper's correspondent for the presidential office of Korea during the Yoon Suk Yeol and Moon Jae-in administrations.
Politicians join calls to sack national football head coach Klinsmann
Korea's national football team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann smiles during a media interview at Incheon International Airport, Feb. 8, after returning to Korea following the team's Asian Cup campaign. Yonhap
By Nam Hyun-woo
Politicians are joining in with the criticisms made by some Korean football fans against Jurgen Klinsmann, the national team's head coach who has taken flak for his tactics and reactions after Korea's semifinal loss in the 2023 AFC Asian Cup hosted by Qatar.
Rep. Kweon Seong-dong of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) wrote on Facebook Sunday that the public anger against Klinsmann is mounting, and that the Korea Football Association (KFA) should answer this uproar.
“Due to repeated disappointments during the Asian Cup campaign, Klinsmann was criticized for an absence of tactics. There were many concerns from the beginning of his appointment as the national team coach, and this Asian Cup has turned those concerns into reality.”
Kweon continued that Klinsmann faced criticisms due to his continued stay outside of Korea, despite his contract specifying that he should reside in Korea during his tenure.
“The national criticisms against him are not about the wins or losses at the tournament. They are about doubts regarding his capability as the national team coach and his negligent attitude toward his job,” he said.
Despite the expectations placed on the national team’s talented squad, led by Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-min, Korea's performances in reaching the Asian Cup's semifinal stage have faced strong questions, as they were far from convincing against several underdogs.
After a 2-0 loss on Feb. 7 to Jordan, which is ranked 64 places below South Korea in FIFA’s rankings, Klinsmann was seen smiling, which triggered a public uproar concerning his attitude as head coach of the national team.
Criticisms spilled over onto the Korea Football Association (KFA), as the association appointed Klinsmann after bypassing its own National Team Committee’s screening system, upon KFA President Chung Mong-gyu’s endorsement.
Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo also wrote on Facebook, Sunday, that “KFA President Chung should take the responsibility on the penalties coming from canceling the contract with Klinsmann, and tell him that he has been dismissed.”
Citing his experience as the owner of Gyeongnam FC when he was governor of South Gyeongsang Province, Hong said, “I have experience winning a lawsuit against a dismissed head coach who demanded his salary within the contracted period.”
After the Asian Cup campaign, Klinsmann returned to Korea but jetted off to the United States on Feb. 10, despite the KFA’s National Team Committee being set to hold its review of the team's tournament performance and discuss future plans.
Klinsmann’s contract as the national team head coach expires in July 2026 after the 2026 World Cup.