Klinsmann: “Our goal is to win the Asian Cup next year”

South Korea national coach

Former national coach Jürgen Klinsmann wants to win the Asian championship with South Korea early next year. The new boss of the 2002 World Cup fourth-placed team announced the goal on Wednesday after arriving at Incheon International Airport. He was “very proud and privileged” to be in South Korea and to be able to work with the national team, Klinsmann told journalists. “Our goal is to win the Asian Cup next year.”

The South Korean Football Association announced Klinsmann’s engagement at the end of February. The former German national player, who succeeds the Portuguese Paulo Bento, got a contract until the end of the 2026 World Cup. Before that, South Korea wants to end a long dry spell at the Asian Cup. The South Koreans last lifted the trophy in 1960 – that was the second time in a row.

Klinsmann’s goal with South Korea: Asian championship in Qatar in early 2024

Like last year’s World Cup, the Asian Championship 2023 will be held in Qatar, which won the 2018/19 edition 3-1 in the final against Japan. Qatar also defeated South Korea in the quarter-finals (0-1). Due to the extremely high temperatures in the country, among other things, the original date in the summer of this year was postponed to the beginning of 2024.

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The South Korean Football Association prepared a celebratory reception for Klinsmann at the airport. He was overwhelmed, said the 58-year-old, whose arrival was broadcast on the association’s YouTube channel. “I think they did a good job in Qatar and I hope I can be even more successful,” said the new coach of South Korea’s appearance at the World Cup. The team had reached the round of 16 and was then eliminated by record world champions Brazil.

For Klinsmann it is the third job as national coach. From summer 2004 to summer 2006 he looked after the German national team – including at the home World Cup almost 17 years ago. From July 2011 to November 2016 he was the national coach of the USA. He will make his debut as coach of the South Korean national team on March 24 in the international match against Colombia.

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