Jurgen Klinsmann, former head coach of the South Korea national team, is set to receive approximately $7.5 million in compensation following his premature termination by the Korea Football Association (KFA).
The KFA officially announced Klinsmann’s dismissal on Friday, less than a year into his contract, which was initially intended to extend until the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup. In light of terminating the contract prematurely, the KFA has agreed to pay Klinsmann and his coaching staff approximately 10 billion won ($7.5 million) in compensation.
The decision to part ways with Klinsmann came after he faced criticism for South Korea’s disappointing performance in the 2023 Asian Cup. Despite having a talented squad at his disposal, Klinsmann failed to guide South Korea to victory, resulting in a 0-2 defeat to Jordan in the semifinals.
The KFA cited Klinsmann’s shortcomings in managerial capability and leadership, including issues with tactics, personnel management, and a reported rift between players Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in ahead of the semifinal. Additionally, concerns were raised about Klinsmann’s remote work arrangement, as he frequently operated from abroad rather than being present in South Korea.
Meanwhile, Petar Segrt of Tajikistan and Juan Antonio Pizzi of Bahrain both departed their positions despite achieving notable results in the 2023 Asian Cup. Segrt guided Tajikistan to the quarterfinals in their tournament debut, while Pizzi’s Bahrain topped their group before falling to Japan in the round of 16.
The future of other coaches, including Roberto Mancini (Saudi Arabia), Hajime Moriyasu (Japan), Philippe Troussier (Vietnam), and Aleksandar Jankovic (China), remains uncertain, although most are expected to receive support from their respective federations as they seek to prove themselves in upcoming matches.
