New South Korea coach Klinsmann 'felt for Son' at World Cup / Photo: Anthony WALLACE - AFP
-
Bahrain MPs Approve Five-Year Wait for Repeat Hajj Pilgrims
-
Irish Study Finds No Link Between Lifetime Fluoride Exposure and Cognitive Decline
-
David Walliams Identified as Celebrity in Sexual Misconduct Allegations After Legal Bid
-
Calgary Councillors Prioritize Affordability Ahead of Nov. 10 Budget Release
-
Texas Gov.-elect Hinojosa Plans Rate Freeze Amid Legal Concerns
-
5 Wardrobe Design Trends Making Sydney Bedrooms Work Harder in 2026
-
Elijah Moore Scores Career-High 29 as McNeese Sets School Records in 135-87 Win
-
Judy Schavrien’s New Book ‘There’ll Be No Dying Here’ Collects Decades of Intimate Portraits
-
ترمب يعلن عن رغبة قوية لإنهاء حرب أوكرانيا قبل محادثات أبوظبي
-
مليبانד: الوضع الإنساني في غزة مفجع والحكومة البريطانية لن تقف مكتوفة الأيدي
-
Honolulu Voters Reject Ranked Choice Voting in Election
-
First-time boat buyers advised to assess full ownership costs
-
Panthers expected to begin 2027 NRL season away from new stadium
-
Planning and preparation can reduce stress of interstate relocation
New South Korea coach Klinsmann 'felt for Son' at World Cup
New South Korea coach Jurgen Klinsmann wants to get Son Heung-min firing and smiling again, saying Thursday he "felt for him" at the World Cup.
Son won last season's Premier League Golden Boot but then struggled through the Qatar World Cup with a facial fracture and has been far from his best this term at Tottenham.
As a former Tottenham forward himself and now coach of South Korea, German legend Klinsmann has taken a keen interest in Son's faltering form for club and country.
The 58-year-old told his introductory press conference in Seoul: "As a former Tottenham player I watch almost all the games from Tottenham and so I am a big fan of Sonny, there's no doubt.
"But I think this is a normal period that every player goes through, little ups and downs.
"I can give him encouragement and the motivation to enjoy himself and whatever role and however he plays on the field," Klinsmann added.
Klinsmann will see the 30-year-old Son when he takes charge of South Korea for the first time with a home friendly against Colombia on March 24.
South Korea reached the last 16 at the Qatar World Cup before being thrashed 4-1 by Brazil, but captain Son never got going at the tournament and wore a face mask to protect his eye socket.
"He had a very difficult World Cup because he wasn't 100 percent healthy," said Klinsmann.
"I felt for him."
Klinsmann won the World Cup as a player and had a successful career at clubs such as Inter Milan, Tottenham and Bayern.
But some South Korean fans have questioned his record as a coach.
He took charge of his native Germany in 2004 and led them to third place in the 2006 World Cup on home soil, losing to eventual winners Italy in the semi-finals.
He went on to manage Bayern and the United States.
His last coaching job was a 10-week stint in charge of Hertha Berlin in the Bundesliga more than three years ago.
Klinsmann, who signed a three-and-a-half year contract with the Korea Football Association, wants to win the Asian Cup early next year.
"We are only 10 months away from the Asian Cup in Qatar so I need to learn quickly," he said.
"I am confident to do that."
K.AbuTaha--SF-PST
