Jurgen Klinsmann, former German soccer star, U.S. coach takes job with South Korea
Former U.S. men's national soccer coach Jurgen Klinsmann could face his former squad in the 2026 World Cup after accepting the head coaching job with South Korea.
The Korea Football Association announced Monday that Klinsmann has signed a contract to lead its national squad through the next World Cup, which will be held in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
"I know that the Korean national team has been improving and achieving results over a long period of time," Klinsmann, 58, said in a statement. "I am honored to follow in the footsteps of the great coaches who have led the Korean national team, from Gus Hiddink to my predecessor, Paulo Bento."
Under Bento, South Korea's men reached the knockout stage In the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, but lost to Brazil in the round of 16.
After his playing career ended in 1998, Klinsmann turned to coaching, leading Germany to a third-place finish in the 2006 World Cup. He took over as the USMNT coach in 2011 and led them to a CONCACAF Gold Cup title in 2013. At the 2014 World Cup, Klinsmann's U.S. squad lost to Belgium in the round of 16, and he was fired in November 2016.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Former USMNT coach Jurgen Klinsmann takes coaching post in South Korea
