Following their Asian Cup semifinal loss and in the wake of criticism of his leadership, a Korea Football Association (KFA) advisory committee recommended on Thursday that head coach Juergen Klinsmann be fired, according to KFA Technical Director Hwangbo Kwan.
The KFA Executive Board will decide whether to follow the National Team Committee’s proposal to remove Klinsmann, whose contract is set to expire after the 2026 World Cup. The National Team Committee is not empowered to make administrative decisions.
Following South Korea’s 2-0 loss to Jordan in the Asian Cup semifinals earlier this month, which placed 87th in the FIFA rankings, supporters and several legislators demanded that the 59-year-old be fired.
Throughout the competition, the German’s reputation in Korea fell, as many criticized his attitude of smiling even when things were not going well for his squad.
Off the field, Klinsmann also repeatedly faced criticism for often working in Los Angeles, where he currently lives, despite saying he would spend much of his time in South Korea.
He took part in Thursday’s meeting via video call, the KFA said.
“For various reasons, there was a conclusion that coach Klinsmann can no longer exercise leadership as the national team’s coach and needs to be replaced,” Hwangbo told reporters after the meeting.
Some saw Klinsmann’s attitude towards his job including a lack of time spent in South Korea as “disrespectful” towards the public, Hwangbo added.
Ex-South Korean international Hong Myung-bo is reportedly among the names being considered to temporarily lead the team for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Thailand if Klinsmann is dismissed, according to Yonhap News TV.
Klinsmann, who won the World Cup in 1990 as a player, has previously managed the German and U.S. national teams, as well as Bundesliga side Bayern Munich.
He took charge of South Korea last year after Paulo Bento stepped down following their defeat to Brazil in the last 16 of the World Cup in 2022.
The German’s tenure got off to a rocky start, with South Korea failing to win any of his first five games in charge, losing to Uruguay and Peru and drawing with Colombia, El Salvador and Wales.
South Korea’s form improved in the build-up to the Asian Cup with a run of six straight wins, and despite being far from their best in Qatar, the Asian heavyweights improved on their quarter-final exit at the 2019 edition by reaching the last four.
In their semi-final defeat to Jordan, they were unable to register a single shot on target, falling short in their bid to end a 64-year wait for a third title.
