Even After Being Dismissed, Cheerful Cleanseman... Leisurely Recent Status Spotted in the US

JTBC 'Sageon Banjang', Report on Klinsmann Tip

Former South Korea national football team coach J?rgen Klinsmann, who became the dishonored figure as the foreign head coach dismissed in the shortest period in Korean football history, was spotted at a cafe in California, USA.

On the 19th, JTBC's 'Sageon Banjang' reported that former coach Klinsmann met with an acquaintance at a cafe in Newport Beach, California. Klinsmann was seen enjoying coffee with a bright smile. He left for the United States, where his home is located, just two days after returning from the Asian Cup on the 10th, and was dismissed on the 16th.

[Image source=JTBC Incident Chief news screen capture]

The Korea Football Association (KFA) informed Klinsmann of his dismissal by phone before the official announcement. Klinsmann immediately unfollowed the KFA's social media accounts. His 'unfollow' action was faster than the dismissal announcement. His Instagram account had been following KFA, K League, and others, but it appears he unfollowed all after the dismissal news broke.

He also quickly changed his profile on X (formerly Twitter). From "Coach of Korea, formerly USA and Germany" to "Managed Germany, USA and Korea."

Attention was also drawn to the severance pay he would receive upon dismissal. Klinsmann, who took charge of the South Korean national team on February 27 last year, had a contract running until the North and Central American World Cup finals scheduled for June-July 2026. The contract reportedly included a clause requiring payment of the remaining salary in case of dismissal. With an annual salary known to be 2 million euros (about 2.9 billion KRW), experts estimate that the remaining salary owed to Klinsmann exceeds 7 billion KRW. This is also why Klinsmann has been criticized for 'eating and running.' When adding the money owed to the coaching staff under Klinsmann's team, it is estimated that the amount the KFA must bear could reach 10 billion KRW.

Regarding the severance pay for Klinsmann's dismissal, KFA Chairman Chung Mong-gyu stated, "I will consider what financial contributions I can make," and added, "I need to consult with lawyers."

Klinsmann is currently under police investigation after being reported by a civic group for defamation and obstruction of business. The Committee for the Protection of the Common People’s Livelihood (Seominwi) stated, "We reasonably suspect that former coach Klinsmann is trying to shift the critical public opinion against the football association onto the conflict between Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in," and added, "We want to reveal who initiated the mutual slander and division among players and hold them accountable." The Jongno Police Station in Seoul has been assigned to review the case filed by Seominwi on the 13th against Chairman Chung on charges of coercion, obstruction of business, and breach of trust in office.