Courtesy of KFA
Amidst mounting challenges, the South Korean men's national soccer team faces turmoil, with reports confirming a physical altercation between team captain Son Heung-min and midfielder Lee Kang-in before the crucial Asian Cup 2023 semifinals match against Jordan.
The Korea Football Association (KFA) officially acknowledged the altercation, noting that Son sustained a dislocated finger as a result of the altercation. The dispute erupted as Son attempted to prevent Lee and younger team members from engaging in a game of ping-pong ahead of the high-stakes match.
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| ▲ Courtesy of KFA |
Following the incident, reports surfaced that senior players, including Son, urged head coach Jurgen Klinsmann to exclude Lee from the starting lineup. Despite discussions between Klinsmann and the involved players, the coach opted to start Lee, leading to a disappointing 2-0 loss against Jordan in the semifinals.
In the aftermath, local media outlets reported on KFA members recommending Klinsmann's resignation. A closed-door meeting revealed an agreement among KFA executives that Klinsmann should be removed from his post. However, KFA President Chung Mong-gyu emphasized the need for a justified reason for Klinsmann's removal.
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| ▲ Courtesy of Jurgen Klinsmann's instagram |
Klinsmann, a renowned former German player, stands as one of South Korea's highest-profile head coaches. Financial considerations complicate the decision, as the termination could incur a substantial buyout fee, estimated to be around 7 billion won ($5.2 million), considering Klinsmann's reported salary of $2 million and his existing contract for another two years and five months.
The South Korean soccer federation's budget for 2023 is at a record high of 158.1 billion won ($118.2 million), heightening the financial stakes surrounding Klinsmann's potential departure.
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Blue YIM, yimyoungseo1010@naver.com
