Former Coach Klinsmann Revisited in Interview with German Media
Appointment Process Called "Coincidental"... Contradicting 'Process' Explanation
On Remote Work Controversy: "My Laptop Is My Office"
Former head coach J?rgen Klinsmann, who stepped down as the manager of the South Korean national football team following his dismissal by the Korea Football Association (KFA), recently drew attention for describing his appointment process as "somewhat coincidental." Klinsmann revealed this during an interview with the German weekly magazine Der Spiegel on the 21st of last month, while the Asian Cup was underway, highlighting his close friendship with KFA President Chung Mong-gyu.
According to Klinsmann, he had known President Chung since 2017 when his son participated in the Under-20 (U-20) World Cup held in South Korea. During the 2022 Qatar World Cup, Klinsmann was part of FIFA's Technical Study Group (TSG) and encountered President Chung again in the VIP area of a stadium. This was right after the Round of 16 match between South Korea and Brazil (a 1-4 loss), when then-coach Paulo Bento announced his intention to resign.
Klinsmann, aware of the situation, jokingly asked President Chung, "Are you looking for a coach?" to which Chung’s expression stiffened, and he replied, "Are you serious?" The next day, they met at a hotel in Doha and had coffee together. However, Klinsmann said he spoke in a friendly manner, telling Chung not to stress and to contact him if interested. Subsequently, President Chung did indeed reach out to him.
President Chung: "Same Process as Bento Appointment"…Clarifies Friendship
After concluding the executive meeting regarding the national soccer team matter, Chung Mong-gyu, President of the Korea Football Association, announced the meeting results on the afternoon of the 16th at the Football Hall in Jongno-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Earlier, on the 16th, President Chung held an emergency executive meeting at the Football Hall in Jongno-gu, Seoul, announcing the dismissal of Klinsmann by stating, "After comprehensive review, we have decided to replace the national team coach." He explained, "There seem to be various misunderstandings about Klinsmann’s appointment process, but it was conducted through the exact same procedure as when former coach Bento was appointed."
Regarding the ongoing controversy over Klinsmann’s remote work, the former coach likened himself to a "bird," saying, "My laptop is my office." The media reported, "Klinsmann refused to disclose where he lived. When in Seoul, he stayed at hotels and flew to Europe or Los Angeles when he had nothing to do." It was also noted that he disliked the accommodations at the national team’s Paju Training Center, describing them as old and too close to North Korea. In fact, it was reported that he did not have a fixed residence in South Korea.
Civic Groups File Complaints Against Chung Mong-gyu and Klinsmann
On the 15th, in front of the Korea Football Association in Jongno-gu, Seoul, members of the civic group Turn Right held a rally urging J?rgen Klinsmann, the national football team coach, and Chung Mong-gyu, the president of the Football Association, to resign. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@
On the 19th, the Jongno Police Station in Seoul launched an investigation into a case where a civic group filed a complaint against President Chung for unilaterally appointing Klinsmann as the national team coach. The group claimed on the 13th that "President Chung’s appointment of Klinsmann, ignoring the opinions of association officials, constitutes obstruction of business by coercion, and his hesitation to dismiss Klinsmann despite public doubts about his qualifications amounts to dereliction of duty." They also accused that the salary paid to Klinsmann and the severance pay to be paid were "embezzlement arising from President Chung’s unilateral salary decisions," leading to the complaint.
Regarding reports in British tabloids about internal conflicts within the national team involving Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in, the group additionally filed complaints against Klinsmann for defamation, libel through publications, and obstruction of business, stating that these reports "damaged the honor of the players who gave their best at the Asian Cup and the nation’s pride."
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