Klinsmann: "Preparing for the 2026 World Cup... No Intention to Resign"

0-2 Defeat to Jordan, 'Asian Cup Semifinal Exit'
Coach Klinsmann: "Will Return to Korea to Analyze the Tournament"

The South Korean national football team failed in their challenge to win the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup for the first time in 64 years, and controversy surrounding head coach J?rgen Klinsmann's future is expected to intensify. After the match, Klinsmann told the press that he has no intention of resigning, mentioning the 2026 North and Central America World Cup.

Under Klinsmann's leadership, the South Korean national team lost 0-2 to Jordan in the semifinals of the 2023 AFC Qatar Asian Cup held on the 6th (local time) at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, failing to advance to the final. It was a complete defeat, with not a single shot on target recorded during the full 90 minutes. Although they narrowly avoided conceding goals despite facing several threats in the first half while losing control of the game, a passing error by Park Yong-woo in the 8th minute of the second half led to the opening goal. Then, in the 21st minute of the second half, possibly due to fatigue after extended battles in the round of 16 and quarterfinals, possession was lost in midfield, and defensive pressure was insufficient, resulting in a disappointing second goal conceded.

Expectations for winning the tournament were higher than ever before. Son Heung-min and Hwang Hee-chan are showing peak form, ranking among the top scorers this season in the English Premier League (EPL), the world's best league, and Lee Kang-in has established himself as a key player at the prestigious French club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), promising sharp attacks. In defense, Bayern Munich's starting center-back Kim Min-jae was expected to reliably anchor the backline.

Jurgen Klinsmann, Head Coach of the Korea National Football Team
[Photo by Yonhap News]

However, the performance shown in the tournament was below expectations. In the group stage against Jordan, the round of 16 against Saudi Arabia, and the quarterfinal against Australia, the team conceded the first goal in all matches and played from behind. Even in the last group stage match against Malaysia, despite scoring the opening goal, they showed instability by allowing a 1-2 comeback. Despite being objectively regarded as Asia's strongest team, they barely made it to the semifinals.

Despite having the best players, the team failed to produce satisfactory results, inevitably drawing sharp criticism toward coach Klinsmann.

In the post-match press conference, when asked about whether he would continue as head coach, Klinsmann replied, "I am not considering any measures." He added, "I will return to the team and Korea to analyze this tournament and discuss with the Korea Football Association what went well and what did not."

He then clearly stated that he has no intention of resigning, presenting the 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup as the next goal. "The team must develop further with the 2026 North and Central America World Cup as the target over the next two and a half years. We will also have to go through very difficult qualifiers," he said. "There are many challenges ahead of us."

When asked if he is willing to take responsibility for the tournament results, he answered, "As a coach, if I fail to achieve the goals I wanted, I must naturally take responsibility." He added that he will fulfill his responsibility by analyzing this tournament and showing improved performance.

Since his appointment, Klinsmann has been criticized for frequent overseas trips instead of staying in Korea. When asked whether he would go to Korea or return to his home in the United States after the tournament, he answered, "I will go to Korea."

The main group, consisting of Klinsmann, the coaching staff, and domestic players, will stay in Doha for one day and then depart for Korea early on the 8th. They are expected to arrive at Incheon International Airport late in the afternoon on the 8th Korean time.

European-based players such as Son Heung-min, Lee Kang-in, and Kim Min-jae will not return to Korea but will head directly back to their clubs from Doha.

The national team will regroup on March 18 during the March A-match period to play the 3rd and 4th matches of the second round of qualifiers for the 2026 North and Central America World Cup.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.