“I have many good memories in Korea.”
Coach Jürgen Klinsmann (59, Germany), the “new head” who will lead the Korean national soccer team, has finally set foot on Korean soil. Director Klinsman arrived at Incheon International Airport on the 8th and smiled brightly as he was baptized with camera flashes from numerous reporters.
It was around 5:20 am when he came out of the entry gate, and even at that early hour, many domestic fans were seen carrying Klinsman’s former active duty uniform. Korea Football Association (KFA) officials, including vice chairman Choi Young-il and executive director Park Gyeong-hun, also visited the arrival hall and delivered a congratulatory bouquet and a scarf for the Korean national team to coach Klinsman.
Head coach Klinsman said, “Korea performed well at the Qatar World Cup last year, and I will try to continue the success. I have visited Korea several times in the past. I have memories of coming to the 1988 (Seoul) Olympics and the 2002 (Korea-Japan) World Cup. Also, my son participated in the U-20 World Cup (held in Korea in 2017) and it was memorable. I have good memories in many ways.”
Coach Klinsman signed a three-year and five-month contract with the KFA last month until the 2026 World Cup finals in North and Central America. He made his primary objective clear from the moment he entered the country. Coach Klinsmann said, “Korea has been reborn as a good team through coaches such as Guus Hiddink, Uli Stielike, and Paulo Bento.” 안전놀이터
Korean soccer claims to be the leader in Asia, but has not won the adult Asian Cup for 63 years since the 1960 tournament. The 4-year Asian Cup was originally scheduled to be held in China from June to July this year, but due to the spread of Corona 19, the hosting rights were returned, and Qatar became the new venue. However, considering the summer heat in the Middle East, it will be moved to winter like last year’s World Cup and will be held in January next year.
With 9 months left, it is suitable as the first test stage for ‘Klins Manho’. If Korea wins the trophy while showing off its own colors in the Asian Cup finals, it can lay a solid foundation for the World Cup finals three years later.