Fans will hold a group protest to "get out."
Chung Mong-kyu, chairman of the Korea Football Association, convened a meeting with key KFA executives from 10 a.m. at Gwanghwamun Football Center in Seoul on the morning of the 16th and announced the replacement of Klinsmann.
"Coach Klinsmann failed to display the leadership skills he wanted from the national team coach, such as the management of matches, the management of players, and the way he worked," Chairman Chung Mong-kyu said. "The coach also decided to replace him as he judged that his competitiveness and sentiment did not reach the public and that it was difficult to improve."
As a result, Klinsmann was officially appointed as the coach of the Korean national team on February 27 last year, and it was about a year later that he parted ways with South Korea. He faced criticism for his worst appearance at the 2023 Qatar Asian Cup amid the ongoing controversy over his tactical lack of ability and telecommuting that has caused controversy.
After the tournament ended, he made the public angry with his shocking remarks. At the press conference in Korea, Klinsmann said, "We had no losses in 13 matches before the Jordanian match. We advanced to the semifinals. It is difficult to say that we failed. I think it is quite positive about our advance to the semifinals. I want to compliment our players. There were many positive aspects even in difficult situations."
In addition, Klinsmann secretly left for the United States on the 10th at the time of the aftermath at the press conference in his return. Immediately after the Lunar New Year holiday, the Korea Football Association was scheduled to hold an analysis meeting to look back on the Asian Cup, but he ran away to his house by deceiving everyone with a "red lie."
During the tournament, news of the conflict within the team was reported, and he failed to control the team. Ahead of the semifinal match against Jordan, Son Heung-min, the captain, and Lee Kang-in collided, and Son Heung-min suffered a dislocated finger. The association had no reason to support Klinsmann anymore.
The Korea Football Association`s power reinforcement committee concluded at a meeting a day earlier that Klinsmann needs to be replaced. Upon hearing the news, Chairman Chung Mong-gyu convened a meeting of executives the next day to conduct a final meeting and ultimately decided to replace the coach.
However, soccer fans criticized him more than just Klinsmann. The Korea Football Association, which appointed Klinsmann, and Chung Mong-gyu, the general manager, also faced criticism from fans. On the previous day, a protest was held in front of the soccer center to demand that Chung Mong-gyu resign.
Chairman Chung Mong-gyu said, "I am sorry to disappoint fans and the public by not meeting expectations at the Asian Cup. As the head of the team, I humbly accept and apologize for the criticism that is being put on me and the KFA. I will promptly appoint a new power reinforcement committee and chairman to proceed with the process of appointing a successor."
At the same time, when asked by reporters about his resignation, he said, "I am very interested in the term of office, but during the 2018 general meeting of the Korea Football Association, he proposed a restriction on the term of chairman for four consecutive terms. At that time, the Korean Sports Council and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism did not accept it, and I think this is the answer," adding that he did not intend to serve a second term, but he made an excuse that he had no choice.
In addition, Chairman Chung Mong-gyu said, "There are many misunderstandings about the process of appointing Klinsmann. The same process was carried out as when Bento was appointed. In the case of Bento, the first and second candidates delayed their answers and appointed other candidates," he said.
He added, "When Klinsmann was appointed, the number was narrowed down from 61 to 23, and finally, Chairman Muller decided on five. We interviewed all the candidates, and after the first and second choices were interviewed, Klinsmann was finally appointed."
He meant that he would maintain the post of chairman. Chung Mong-gyu, chairman of the Korea Football Association, blamed all the reasons for poor performance on the coach. He replaced him and found a new coach. He did not look back on himself as the chief executive of the Korea Football Association. Now is the best time to step down and take responsibility.