When Jurgen Klinsmann assumed the role of head coach for South Korea in February 2023, he set his sights on the Asian Cup, aiming to bring home the trophy after 64 years.
A year later, as South Korea faced Jordan in Tuesday’s semi-final, Klinsmann’s performance came under scrutiny, especially after a disappointing 2-0 loss.
Despite South Korea‘s star-studded lineup, including players like Son Heung-min and Hwang Hee-chan, they failed to register a shot on target against Jordan, a team ranked significantly lower in the world standings.
Following the defeat, questions arose about Klinsmann’s future with the team, but he expressed no immediate plans for resignation, opting instead to evaluate the tournament’s performance.
“I am not planning to do anything,” he replied. “I plan to analyse this tournament, go back to Korea and obviously talk with the federation about what was good and what was not so good in the tournament.”
However, South Korea’s journey in the tournament raised concerns, with only one victory in regular time throughout their matches.
Their playing style, dubbed “zombie football” by some media outlets, relied heavily on individual brilliance rather than cohesive team tactics, leading to inconsistent results.
Critics pointed out Klinsmann’s limited time spent in South Korea and his remote coaching approach, conducting some activities from his home in California, which raised doubts about his commitment to developing Korean football.
Amidst skepticism about his coaching methods and the team’s performance, Klinsmann faces a critical evaluation of his tenure as head coach of South Korea.
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