Former U.S. and Germany men’s national team head coach Jürgen Klinsmann has been named the new boss of the South Korea national team.
Klinsmann, 58, has signed a three-and-a-half year contract and is set to lead South Korea through the 2026 World Cup in North America.
The ex-Germany national team star takes over from Paulo Bento, who stepped down after leading South Korea to the round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
“I know that the Korean national team has been improving and achieving results over a long period of time,” Klinsmann said in a statement. “I am honored to follow in the footsteps of the great coaches who have led the Korean national team, from Gus Hiddink to my predecessor, Paulo Bento.”
It will be Klinsmann’s first head coaching position since he stepped down after just 10 weeks in charge of Hertha Berlin in February 2020.
After a legendary playing career, Klinsmann took over as Germany head coach and led his country to a third-place finish at the 2006 World Cup on home soil, which was seen as a major achievement.
That tournament was followed by a less successful spell in charge of Bayern Munich before he took over the USMNT in July 2011.
Klinsmann’s time in charge of the U.S. was full of highs and lows. He led the team to the 2013 Gold Cup before guiding them out of a difficult group at the 2014 World Cup. That tournament was proceeded by perhaps the most infamous moment of his time as U.S. coach: leaving Landon Donovan off the team’s roster.
The German was outspoken in his belief that American players should strive to play in Europe, which rankled some who saw it as disparaging of MLS. Klinsmann’s ultimate downfall, though, was the USMNT’s slow start to 2018 World Cup qualifying, which saw him sacked in November 2016 despite previously having signed a contract extension through the 2018 World Cup.
Bruce Arena was brought in to save the U.S. but to no avail, as the team shockingly missed out on Russia 2018.
Klinsmann will relocate to South Korea, per the federation’s announcement, after previously residing in Los Angeles for many years.
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