Jürgen Klinsmann Fired as South Korea Coach Following Asian Cup Elimination
The Korean Football Association (KFA) has made the decision to fire Jürgen Klinsmann as coach of the South Korean national team following their elimination in the semi-finals of the Asia Cup.
The National Teams Committee, an advisory body to the KFA, recommended Klinsmann’s dismissal, citing “several reasons” to doubt his ability to provide leadership over the team. KFA president Chung Mong-gyu stated that Klinsmann’s leadership fell short of expectations, particularly in terms of game management, player management, and work attitude.
Klinsmann’s popularity in Korea plummeted during the Asia Cup, with criticisms of his attitude and leadership. There was also an incident involving an altercation between players on the eve of the semi-final, leaving captain Son Heung-Min with a dislocated finger.
Throughout his tenure with South Korea, Klinsmann was criticized for working primarily in Los Angeles, where he resides, despite having said he would spend time in South Korea.
Prior to Klinsmann’s appointment, there were reports of a lack of communication between members of the National Team Committee, but these were denied after his appointment.
Klinsmann’s time with South Korea got off to a rocky start but showed improvement leading up to the Asia Cup. However, their elimination in the semi-finals, with a lackluster performance against Jordan, ultimately led to his dismissal.
Former South Korean international Hong Myung-bo is among the names being considered to temporarily lead the team for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Klinsmann, a World Cup winner as a player in 1990 with West Germany, previously coached the German and United States national teams, as well as Bundesliga side Bayern Munich. He replaced Paulo Bento as South Korea coach last year.
Before his appointment, there were reports of a lack of communication between committee members, but Klinsmann was hired after a “final agreement” was reached.
Klinsmann expressed his gratitude to the players, staff, and fans in an Instagram post following the announcement of his dismissal.
The decision comes as South Korea prepares for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers.