Klinsmann to return to S. Korea after Europe trip following schedule change

In this Reuters photo, South Korea head coach Jurgen Klinsmann smiles during his team's friendly football match against Saudi Arabia at St. James' Park in Newcastle, England, on Sept. 12. Yonhap

Jurgen Klinsmann, beleaguered head coach of the South Korean men's national football team, is set to return to Seoul this week after a recent European trip following a last-minute schedule change, officials said Wednesday.

The Korea Football Association (KFA) announced Klinsmann will return to South Korea with the rest of the home-based members of the national team Thursday afternoon.

The Taegeuk Warriors played two friendly matches in Europe this month, with a goalless draw against Wales last Thursday in Cardiff followed by a 1-0 squeaker over Saudi Arabia on Tuesday in Newcastle, England. It was Klinsmann's first win as South Korea's bench boss.

Klinsmann had initially planned to stay put in Europe to check on South Korean internationals plying their trade there before returning to South Korea. His initial itinerary included a trip to Germany to watch Bayern Munich's South Korean defender Kim Min-jae at the weekend.

However, following a meeting with his backroom staff Wednesday, Klinsmann decided to return to South Korea immediately, according to the KFA.

Klinsmann will check on players in the domestic K League before putting together the next edition of the national team for the October international match window, the KFA added. South Korea will host Tunisia on Oct. 13 and Vietnam on Oct. 17. (Yonhap)