'Remote control' Klinsmann booed by 59,918 'Red Devils', separate issue from 4-0 win over Tunisia
"Woo~."
Sangam World Cup Stadium in Seoul, South Korea, on Sept. 13 during the A match between South Korea and Tunisia. When coach Jürgen Klinsmann's name was called, the 59,018 fans who filled the Sangam beehive booed in unison.
On a day when star players representing Korean soccer, such as Son Heung-min, Kim Min-jae, Hwang Hee-chan, and Lee Kang-in, were cheered by fans, Klinsmann had to prepare for the game amidst boos. A 180-degree difference in atmosphere. But it's hard not to understand the situation.
Klinsmann hasn't received the most positive reviews since his arrival. Coming off the back of a World Cup round of 16 triumph under Paulo Bento, expectations were bound to be high, but after five games, three draws and two defeats, and a 1-0 win in the sixth match, it was inevitable that expectations would turn to disappointment.
Some might argue that this is a harsh assessment for a coach who has been at the helm for less than a year. However, it's not just the A-match results that are being criticized; Klinsmann's unfamiliar way of running the national team is still hard to understand and the reaction to it is still negative.
Klinsmann's approach is 180 degrees different from that of his predecessor, Paulo Bento. While Bento stayed at home to do his job, Klinsmann spends more time abroad. He leaves the K League to Coach Chaduri and focuses on overseas inspections and additional tasks.
And he has no intention of changing that. In a recent interview, Klinsmann said, "If you're the coach of a K League team, you're supposed to be in Korea, but the national team coach is different. I'm always traveling, always working. It's my style," he emphasized.
It's hard to tell what's right and what's wrong at this point. After a poor run of A-match results, Klinsmann's men are on a roll, with a 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia followed by a 4-0 thrashing of Tunisia. While there are still some frustrations, the team's aggressive tactics of pressing forward were certainly impressive and powerful.
It's hard to tell if this is a result of Klinsmann's game plan, or if it's a synergistic effect of having so many individual talented players. In hindsight, I lean more towards the latter. It's an ambiguous situation. 먹튀검증
One thing is for sure: Klinsmann's style of play is unlikely to generate a positive response from soccer fans. In this atmosphere, Klinsmann is sticking to his guns. It's a position that doesn't mix like water and oil.
If the way Klinsmann sees things, and the way the fans see things, are at odds, they're bound to be at odds for the duration of the contract.
Despite the differences, Bento had his fair share of ups and downs before he earned his accolades. Before he was dubbed "Benbudge," he wasn't viewed favorably. There was also a lot of doubt about his build-up football, but he proved it with results, culminating in a World Cup round of 16.
Klinsmann is no different. He needs to prove himself with a solid performance to turn the boos into praise. A performance that no one can argue with. His way of operating is the only way to get everyone's approval.