Klinsmann needs to handle Kim Min-jae situation

Uruguay's Maximiliano Gomez Gonzalez, second from right, fights for the ball against South Korea's Kim Min-jae during an international friendly match in Seoul, March 28. / AP-Yonhap

By John Duerden

There is rarely a boring week in Korean soccer and last week was no different. There was a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Uruguay in Seoul. As it was a friendly game, the result was not that important. It was more of a chance for new coach Jurgen Klinsmann to get a look at his players in what was just his second game in charge since his February appointment.

It remains to be seen if the German boss can take these lessons on board for more tests later in the year, but there are more pressing issues. The biggest one of the week was the Kim Min-jae affair.

Before we get into that, it is worth remembering that the defender is one of the hottest properties in European soccer at the moment. After joining Napoli last summer, the 26-year-old has been a star for the Italian giant as it runs away at the top of the league and is on course for its first title since the 1980s when Diego Maradona was the star player. Not only will Napoli become the champion of Italy, but is in the last eight of the UEFA Champions League and in with a great chance of winning the biggest club title in soccer. No surprise then that Kim is in demand and there are growing reports that he is on the shopping list of the biggest English Premier League clubs such as Liverpool and Manchester.

No surprise also that after a busy season with Napoli, Kim is tired. Jetting back home from Europe is not easy as players such as Park Ji-sung and Son Heung-min have found over the years. But Kim openly told reporters how he was feeling.

“Right now, I am just exhausted," Kim said. "I want to concentrate on my club rather than the national team." He was then asked if he had talked to the Korea Football Association about this, answering: “I can't say any arrangement has been made but we have been having some discussions."

It was soon being suggested that Kim was thinking about retiring from international duty. Such comments did not go down well in Korea, where the emphasis is very much on the word 'duty.' From the player's point of view, it may just have been a throwaway comment at the end of a tough game and disappointing defeat. But when you are famous, words get reported around the world. Soon after, Kim took to social media to talk to fans. “I apologize to them and the players who were surprised by my words,” he said. “I had a minor injury and I have recovered. I've played many games and I never spared myself. I collapsed mentally and had an outburst. I apologize again and ask the fans always to support us.”

As one of the best defenders in Europe this season, it goes without saying that Kim is a vital part of Klinsmann's plans. Defense is not a strength of the Taeguk Warriors as was demonstrated in the four goals conceded against Colombia and Uruguay. The coach said he will talk to Kim in Italy over the coming weeks. It will be an important conversation.