"More I Think, More Resentful Person" Hong Jun-pyo Targets Cleanseman Again

"Don't Let Korean Football Suffer Because You're Unfit to Be a Coach"

Jurgen Klinsmann, head coach of the South Korea national football team, left for the United States just two days after returning home from the Asian Cup, prompting Daegu Mayor Hong Jun-pyo to criticize him as a "person who becomes more despicable the more you think about him." Mayor Hong posted five times on social media around the Lunar New Year holiday, strongly criticizing Coach Klinsmann and the Korea Football Association.

On the 12th, Mayor Hong wrote on social networking service (SNS), "Klinsmann left for the United States on the 10th, less than two days after arriving on the 8th," adding, "We can't even demand a penalty for breach of residency conditions."

Coach Klinsmann Returning Home After Asian Cup, Interview [Photo by Yonhap News]

Although the actual contract terms are unknown, it is interpreted that Klinsmann violated the contract by breaking his promise to "return home and conduct an overall analysis" after South Korea's elimination in the semifinals of the 2023 Asian Cup.

Mayor Hong stated, "The issue of the penalty fee should be the responsibility of Chairman Chung Mong-gyu," and repeatedly argued that if the Korea Football Association pays the penalty, it would be acknowledging Klinsmann's 'eat-and-run' behavior, so Chairman Chung should pay it out of his own pocket.

He further said, "Take this opportunity to notify him of dismissal via video call," and added, "Since he lacks the qualifications of a coach and only harms Korean football, he should not come back after going to the United States."

Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that Jurgen Klinsmann, who had announced plans to leave next week, has already departed for the United States. On the 11th, the Korea Football Association stated that Coach Klinsmann left for his residence in the United States the day before. He left irresponsibly just two days after returning with the team, despite discussions on the Asian Cup evaluation and team management scheduled for this week.

The return schedule has not been set. Klinsmann had stated to the press immediately after returning to Incheon Airport on the 8th, after completing the 2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup, that he would return home next week for a break.

Coach Klinsmann and Coach Cha Du-ri comforting Son Heung-min
Photo by Yonhap News

Before the Asian Cup, Klinsmann faced controversy over working from home and overseas trips. Afterwards, with a squad led by Son Heung-min considered the strongest ever, he challenged for the first championship in 64 years but ended with the disappointing result of a semifinal exit.

After the Asian Cup, a national petition demanding Klinsmann's dismissal emerged, arguing that he should no longer lead the national team. However, Klinsmann firmly stated that he would not resign voluntarily even after losing to Jordan in the 2023 AFC Qatar Asian Cup semifinals.