It’s a series of disappointments. Coach Jurgen Klinsmann (59) directly requested a uniform from an opposing team player after the game, causing a stir among domestic fans. It was the opposite of the ‘mouthed’ look he showed during the cooling break.
The Korean national soccer team, led by Coach Klinsmann, played an international match with Wales at Cardiff City Stadium in Cardiff, England on the 8th (Korean time) and drew 0-0 without scoring.
As a result, the Korean national team has recorded 3 draws and 2 losses since Coach Klinsmann took office. Coach Klinsmann is the first foreign coach in Korean soccer history to not have his first win in five games.
However, Coach Klinsmann’s expression was full of composure. It is reported that he approached Wales captain Aaron Ramsey (33, Cardiff City) with his characteristic kind and smiling smile and asked for a uniform.
This was revealed through a video released by BBC Wales on social media after the game. In a broadcast interview immediately after the game, Coach Klinsmann was asked, ‘I saw Ramsey receive a shirt after the game.’
Coach Klinsmann then smiled brightly, saying, “I have a son who plays as a goalkeeper for the Los Angeles Galaxy (USA), and he sent me a message before the game saying, ‘Can you get me Ramsey’s uniform?'”
Of course, this is a passage that shows how much Director Klinsmann cares about his son.
A coach can ask a player to wear a uniform, but is it really necessary to do so in a public event right after the game? He could have gone to the locker room and asked for it separately. He may be seen as an arrogant behavior that ignores the domestic public opinion pouring in on him.
Director Klinsmann is reneging on his promise to work from home, which he made at his first press conference in office. He is breaking his promise to reside in Korea as he stayed in Korea for only 67 days during the six months he was appointed to the Korean national team. Rather, he is protesting that “the way I communicate and observe players is different from before.”
I am also hearing reviews that my main job and side job have changed. This is because he is more active through side jobs such as various media panels and running his own business than his main job as the head coach of the Korean national team. Previously, the British BBC also pointed out his remote work, calling him a ‘remote control director.’
Germany’s ‘Sport 1’ said, “The strange Klinsmann story is repeated. He is criticized in Korea for working from home,” and added, “This will sound familiar to many German fans. Klinsmann works 24 hours a day, but he works on site. “I don’t do it,” he pointed out.
The atmosphere before the game was good. ‘Captain’ Son Heung-min (Tottenham), Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), Cho Kyu-sung (Midtjylland), Hwang In-beom (Crvena Zvezda), Lee Jae-seong (Mainz), Hong Hyun-seok (Gent), Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton), Oh Hyun-gyu (Celtic), etc. Most of the European factions were summoned.
This was right after most of these attack resources raised attack points such as goals. The distance traveled was short, so there was no difficulty in controlling the condition. Unlike when the friendly match was held in Korea, the conditions were such that the overseas players could perform to their full potential.
The opponent, Wales, faced the challenge with a 1.5 force. Wales coach Rob Page, who was rumored to be fired after losing to Armenia and Turkey in the recent Euro qualifiers, expressed his feelings of pressure, saying, “I don’t want a friendly match with Korea.” This is because there were concerns about injuries due to the Euro qualifier trip to Latvia on the 12th.
However, Klinsmann’s performance was dismal. Throughout the game, he consistently used back passes and side passes and relied on long balls that did not pass through the midfield.안전놀이터
Position placement that did not properly utilize the players’ characteristics was also a problem. The midfield, consisting of Hwang In-beom and Park Yong-woo, failed to demonstrate proper synergy, and the center-oriented Lee Jae-seong and Hong Hyun-seok were tied to the sides, blocking their own path.
In the end, even Son Heung-min, who was placed at the front line, had to move down to the middle to receive the ball. There were relatively few shots toward the goal, and Wales’ attack was sharper.
There were times during the game that day when the atmosphere could change. A cooling break was given in the 25th minute of the first half. It is a time for players to cool off from the scorching heat and drink plenty of water, but most coaches do not miss this opportunity and try to change the flow of the game by giving various orders to their players.
However, Director Klinsmann’s appearance on the TV screen was different from expectations. He barely moved from where he was standing when the players came in. All the players gathered around him, but he just stared blankly, wiping his mouth or putting his hands on his hips.
Right in front was ‘captain’ Son Heung-min. It was a moment when I could convey to Son Heung-min what I could not do individually to the players. But Coach Klinsmann did not do that. Director Klinsmann, seen on camera, just stood there silently for 20 seconds.
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