“Devastating bankruptcy” – South Korea’s press counts Klinsmann against Jordan

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Jürgen Klinsmann in the defeat against Jordan

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Thanassis Stavrakis / AP

Former national coach Jürgen Klinsmann is heavily criticized after South Korea's semi-final exit against Jordan at the Asian Cup. The media is not only concerned about the surprising elimination against the outsider, but above all the poor performance shown. The tenor is: The bankruptcy is just the latest example of questionable tactics and team formation. Despite stars like Son Heung-Min from Tottenham Hotspur, South Korea did not have a compelling chance against Jordan, which was 64 places lower in the world rankings, losing 2-0. The newspaper “Ilgan Sports” spoke of a “devastating bankruptcy.”

The sports newspaper “Sports Hankook” judged that there could be no other excuse than “lack of tactics”. Especially since the performance against Jordan was not the first mixed performance for South Korea, one of the favorites. South Korea only won one of five games in regular time. Late goals in particular saved the team from an early exit.

How former national coach Klinsmann dealt with the defeat also caused astonishment in South Korea. The 59-year-old congratulated his coaching colleague Hussein Ammouta after the defeat with a smile on his face and also received criticism for it. "While the players showed their disappointment and forced smiles, Klinsmann's face was filled with laughter," wrote "Sports Hankook": "It was a scene that was extremely confusing, considering that he was the coach of the Korean national team is."

This smile was difficult to understand, said the newspaper “Ilgan Sports” on Wednesday. Klinsmann was asked about it immediately after the game: It was normal for him to congratulate the other coach, he said.

Klinsmann's future as coach at South Korea seems uncertain. A day after the defeat against outsiders Jordan, local commentators asked what was next for the team. “Korea, and especially head coach Jürgen Klinsmann, have to answer an important question: What just happened?” wrote the newspaper “JoongAng Ilbo”.

Klinsmann doesn't want to resign

In South Korea it is assumed that the pressure on Klinsmann will continue to grow. Doubts hung over the future of the national team, according to The Korea Herald newspaper. Some fans have already called for the coach's resignation in view of the fluctuating performance in the group games.

Even before the tournament, Klinsmann was also accused of spending large parts of his time in the USA rather than in South Korea. There was a similar discussion in Germany when Klinsmann was national coach.

Klinsmann, who took up the coaching position last year with the goal of winning the Asian Championship among other things, did not comment directly on his future. When asked after the game about a possible retirement, he said: "I haven't planned anything." However, he would talk to the national football association about the performance after his return.

kjo/dpa/sid