The situation was exacerbated by Klinsmann’s controversial work ethic, highlighted by his decision to work remotely from his home in the United States since his appointment in March of last year. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Feb. 15 (Korea Bizwire) – South Korean soccer is currently facing a crisis that seems ripped from a dramatic screenplay: the association’s president is missing in action, the coach has left the scene, and disputes among players have come to light.
This unfortunate series of events unfolded after the national team, led by German coach Jürgen Klinsmann, were bested in the semi-finals of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup held in Qatar, a setback that marked a missed opportunity to secure the championship for the first time in 64 years.
The team’s performance, especially during the semi-final match against Jordan—a team ranked 87th by FIFA and considered an underdog—was underwhelming, failing to produce a single shot on goal and ultimately losing 2-0.
This outcome led to an intense backlash, surpassing the disappointment of the 2019 quarter-final exit under then-coach Paulo Bento in the UAE.
The critique extended beyond the field, focusing on Klinsmann’s leadership and tactics, which were criticized for their lack of impact throughout the tournament. The situation was exacerbated by Klinsmann’s controversial work ethic, highlighted by his decision to work remotely from his home in the United States since his appointment in March of last year.
Chung Mong-gyu, the president of the Korea Football Association (KFA), who was responsible for appointing Klinsmann, also faced criticism. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
The frustration with Klinsmann reached a boiling point when, instead of conducting a post-tournament review as promised, he flew back to the U.S. merely two days after returning to Korea.
The public’s anger wasn’t just directed at Klinsmann. Chung Mong-gyu, the president of the Korea Football Association (KFA), who was responsible for appointing Klinsmann, also faced criticism.
This was compounded by Chung’s conspicuous absence from a crucial meeting held by the KFA on February 13 to discuss the aftermath of the Asian Cup and future strategies.
The meeting was attended by senior KFA officials, but the absence of key figures, including Chung, did not go unnoticed, drawing ire from both fans and political circles for the perceived abdication of responsibility.
The discontent among fans was palpable, as evidenced by a protest in front of the KFA building in Seoul, where supporters demanded Klinsmann’s dismissal and Chung’s resignation.
Amid these calls for accountability, the KFA announced plans to convene a special committee on February 15 to assess the team’s performance and make a decision regarding Klinsmann’s position, with the coach expected to participate via video link.
Football fans call for Klinsmann’s ousting (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
The situation was further complicated by reports from British media of discord within the team, including a physical altercation involving star player Son Heung-min and younger teammates over a disagreement at a team dinner.
The dispute, which reportedly led to Son suffering a dislocated finger, was said to have arisen from younger players leaving the dinner early to play table tennis, an action Son found disrespectful. This incident, which also involved Lee Kang-in of Paris Saint-Germain, was confirmed by the KFA.
The revelation of internal conflicts within the team has shifted some of the public scrutiny from the KFA and its leadership to the players themselves, particularly towards those involved in the altercation.
There is speculation that the quick acknowledgment of these internal issues by the KFA might be an attempt to deflect criticism from Chung and Klinsmann by shifting the focus onto the players.
Regardless of the underlying intentions or the source of the leaks, the undeniable reality is that South Korean soccer is currently navigating through a period of significant turmoil, characterized by absent leadership, a potentially departing coach, and discord among players.
The upcoming meeting of the special committee and its evaluation of the Asian Cup performance will be pivotal in determining the future direction of the national team and its management. A separation from Klinsmann appears increasingly likely, leaving the KFA and its leadership with the challenging task of steering South Korean soccer out of this crisis.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
