JURGEN KLINSMANN has returned to football by being named the new coach of South Korea.
The former Germany, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Spurs striker Klinsmann has been out of the game since leaving Hertha Berlin in 2020.
PAJurgen Klinsmann is the new South Korea boss[/caption]
But after working alongside Arsene Wenger as part of Fifa’s technical panel at last year’s World Cup – when his TV criticisms of Iran caused outrage – the 58-year-old is now Son Heung-min’s international manager.
Klinsmann will be formally unveiled in Seoul next week after agreeing a contract to the end of the 2026 World Cup.
He said: “I am very happy and honoured to be the head coach of the South Korea national team.
“I am well aware that the Korean national team has been constantly improving and producing results over a long period of time.
“It is an honour for me to following in the footsteps of coaches including Guus Hiddink and Paulo Bento.
“We will do our best to achieve successful results in the upcoming Asian Cup and 2026 World Cup.”
Bento quit after guiding Korea to a knock-out stage thumping by Brazil in Qatar, opening the way for Klinsmann’s return to the international stage.
Klinsmann led Germany to the 2006 World Cup semi-finals on home soil before an ill-starred and short-lived spell at Bayern.
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He then became US national boss from 2011 to 2016, taking the team to the last 16 in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil before being fired after a poor start to the final qualification round for Russia 2018.
After joining Hertha in November 2019 he lasted just 10 weeks at the Olympic Stadium side but his friendship with Wenger – he played for the Frenchman at Monaco – led to his Fifa appointment in Qatar.
However, he was embroiled in a public row with Iran coach Carlos Quieroz.
He suggested in a BBC punditry appearance that the Asian side’s physical approach in the win over Wales was “part of their culture.”
The former Manchester United assistant called for him to be dismissed by Fifa.