The Korean national football team coach Jurgen Klinsmann, a former world-class striker, praised the Korean strikers as ‘high quality’ with the day before the ‘debut match’.
At a press conference held at the Ulsan Munsu 메이저사이트Soccer Stadium on the 23rd, the day before the evaluation match against Colombia, Klinsman coach Klinsman responded to a question about the national team’s strikers, saying, “It’s very positive. I thought that the level was high.”
He continued, “I was also a striker, number 9 during my playing days. I wish I had the time to learn a little bit of the details from me and share them too.”
Coach Klinsmann was evaluated as one of the world’s leading strikers beyond his home country of Germany during his active career.
He played a key role in helping Germany win the World Cup in Italy and Euro 1996, and scored two goals against the Korean national team in the 1994 World Cup in the United States.
Coach Klinsman especially praised Lee Kang-in (Mallorca), who is considered the next-generation national team ace.
Coach Klinsman praised him, saying, “It is a player who shows a very high level of football.”
He continued, “I will watch Mallorca’s matches. If I show good form, I will get more playing time in the national team.”
The friendly match against Colombia, which will be held on the 24th at 8:00 pm at the Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium, is the official ‘debut match’ of coach Klinsman, who took over the baton from former coach Paulo Bento (Portugal).
Colombia failed to qualify for last year’s FIFA World Cup in Qatar, but ranked 17th in the FIFA rankings, higher than Korea, which ranked 25th.
Coach Klinsman, ahead of the first game against a formidable team, said, “It is my role to make the most of the strengths of the players who have joined this time.”
He then emphasized the purpose of this evaluation match, saying, “We are trying to figure out the strengths of the players as much as possible.”
Director Klinsman, who is currently studying Korean, added that he is also trying to adapt to Korean culture.
The following is Q&A with director Klinsman.
— What are Colombia’s strengths, and what are their countermeasures?
▲ My role is to make the most of the strengths of the new players rather than the tactical part or the part of ‘what kind of soccer will I play against Colombia tomorrow’. It is important to prepare for the game by using the strengths of the players. It is difficult to say that the formation or tactical preparation was prepared. I am also learning a lot during the recruitment period. I’m trying to figure out the strengths of the players. I try to see the best of it.
Colombia must have come to Korea in a ‘hungry state’. Colombia did not qualify for the World Cup in Qatar. A new Argentine coach has been appointed and the recent results are not bad. I think I will go into the game with hunger. We can also play on an equal footing (with Colombia). I hope it will be a match where we can also get (something).
– How do you feel watching the national team strikers?
▲ Quite positive. I thought it was a very high level. I felt, ‘The players want to score, they’re still hungry’. Offensive players are scored and must score. showed such will. I was also a striker with number 9 in my days as a player, so it would be nice if I had time to learn even a little bit of details from myself and share them.
— What is the direction of the map? What can we see in this evaluation?
▲ Every leader will have their own philosophy. Each will have its own approach. I have my own philosophy and approach, but what matters is the psychological state of the players and what direction they want and whether it matches. The two must work well together to produce results. I also have to give clear grades. First of all, it has to be in a pleasant atmosphere so that the players are satisfied. I want to show my fans a good performance.
— How to use Lee Kang-in.
▲ He is a very high level soccer player. Any coach would be honored to be able to coach such a young player who played abroad from the age of 18 or 19. I can give you some advice. I want to talk a lot so that I can mature and grow. I hope Lee Kang-in will accept it well. I will watch all the matches played in Mallorca, and if I show good form, I will get more playing time for the national team. It’s nice to see him living life with a smile on his face, even though it’s hard to adapt to living abroad.
— Michael Müller, chairman of the National Team Strengthening Committee, emphasized quick and easy scoring. Did you discuss anything about it?
▲ Not everything happens overnight. It is still too early to answer the question. After the World Cup, many teams make changes as they prepare for the next World Cup. There are two and a half to three years left until the North and Central America competitions, so I will make the process well with the players. In the process, I hope that young players learn from other experienced players such as Son Heung-min and Kim Min-jae and grow together. It’s a bit early (to mention the results) now, but I hope you’ll keep an eye on the process. I want to prepare well in this process and show a good appearance in the next competition.
— In Korea, the language does not work. If you have difficulties, how do you solve them?
▲ Although the language is not understood, the meeting is being held through an interpreter. I am trying to find an efficient way to reduce the meeting time to work with an interpreter.
I started studying Korean. It will be a long journey, but I also want to show you how to speak Korean a little better. I hope you haven’t put any pressure on me yet. I will learn Korean little by little.
The culture is also very different. The Asian Cup is different from the Euro (European Football Championship) and will be different from the North and Central America Championships. The coaches who joined me should learn quickly, but the players will adapt quickly and show a good performance if they give (us) time and watch.