Klinsmann’s Insensitivity: ‘Too Close to North Korea’ Comment Stirs Korean Football Community

Amidst Jürgen Klinsmann’s dismissal for his insincere attitude and incompetence, his past and recent “careless” remarks continue to rise to the surface.

Klinsmann is making Korean fans furious with various remarks, and another one has been added to the list of grievances. In an interview with German media a month ago, he replied that he did not work in Korea “because the Paju NFC National Team Training Center was close to North Korea.”

The Korea Football Association (KFA) dismissed Klinsmann, who failed to bring a win at the match against Jordan in the quarterfinals of the 2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup on the 16th and had been causing trouble throughout his tenure. However, the aftermath of the “Klinsmann saga” continues.

In an interview with the German media outlet Der Spiegel, Klinsmann said, “I didn’t like staying at Paju NFC. Paju, which is close to the North Korean border, was too close to the dark kingdom where dictator Kim Jong Un is.” He also complained, “All the furniture in the Paju NFC accommodation was old, and the walls were thin, so we couldn’t find out who was using the bathroom.”

The fact that the national team’s commander-in-chief did not want to stay at the national team training center is absurd.

Former manager Paulo Bento not only lived in Korea throughout his tenure but also declined the KFA’s offer to provide a house in Seoul to live in Goyang City, which is close to Paju NFC National Team Training Center.

Klinsmann also said, “My laptop is my office. I’m a person who flies like a bird,” and “When I meet players in Europe or stay at my home in California, USA, the Korean press starts looking for me. Then a KFA official sent me a message.”

After last September’s match against Saudi Arabia in Europe, Klinsmann tried to head straight to the US.

In an interview with the media, Klinsmann recalled, “A KFA official came to my room at the Newcastle hotel and told me to stop by Korea. Honestly, I couldn’t understand.”

At the arrival hall of Incheon Airport afterward, Klinsmann, when asked by the Korean press about the reason for changing his plans and not going to America but returning, said with a faint smile, “Because of you guys.”

The relationship between Klinsmann, who was virtually uncontrollable, and the KFA can be glimpsed. Given the prolonged controversy in the Korean football community over his remote work, Klinsmann’s nonchalant expression becomes even more challenging to comprehend.

Korean football, despite the need to take the next step after the dismissal of Klinsmann, is having a hard time with the words spoken by Klinsmann.

tree@news1.kr