Seoul, Feb. 28 (BNA): The South Korean Football Association announced the appointment of Jurgen Klinsmann as the head coach of South Korea.
Former Germany coach Klinsmann replaced Paulo Bento, who resigned after South Korea’s defeat by Brazil in the World Cup round of 16 in December, Reuters reports.
The Korea Football Association (KFA) said Klinsmann had signed a contract until the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
“I know that the Korean national team is improving and achieving results over a long period of time,” Klinsmann said in a statement.
“I am honored to follow in the footsteps of the great coaches who have led the Korean national team, from Guus Hiddink to my predecessor Paulo Bento.
“I am looking forward to doing my best to help the team achieve success in the upcoming Asian Cup and the 2026 World Cup.”
After retiring as a player in 1998, Klinsmann was Germany’s coach from 2004-2006 and led them to a third-place finish at the 2006 World Cup on home soil.
He managed his former club Bayern Munich in the 2008-09 season before becoming the head coach of the US national team in 2011-16.
The 58-year-old led the United States to a CONCACAF Gold Cup title in 2013 and was named CONCACAF Coach of the Year.
Klinsmann’s first match with South Korea will be a friendly at home against Colombia on March 24.
The South Korean Football Association said that Klinsmann’s training team is not finished yet, adding that the German coach will live in South Korea throughout his tenure.