KFA committee recommends firing Jurgen Klinsmann as manager of Korean men's football team

Jurgen Klinsmann looks on before the Asian Cup semifinal match between Jordan and Korea at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar on Feb. 6. [AP/YONHAP]

The Korea Football Association National Team Committee recommended Thursday that Jurgen Klinsmann be fired as manager of the Korean men's national football team, passing the baton to beleaguered chairman Chung Mong-gyu to make the final decision.

KFA Technical Director Hwangbo Kwan announced in a press conference Thursday that the KFA National Team Committee had reached the decision in a meeting earlier that day.

Klinsmann took the helm at Korea just a year ago, leading the national team through a long winless run, a brief turnaround, and then a hugely disappointing Asian Cup that saw the Taeguk Warriors crash out in the semifinals last week.

Klinsmann signed with Korea in February last year on a contract that was supposed to run through the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Details of the contract were never disclosed, but Klinsmann was said to be earning $2.2 million a year. The KFA is expected to still have to pay the remainder of that contract, as well as the contracts of all of Klinsmann’s staff.

Klinsmann attended Thursday’s meeting via video call, having flown to the United States to visit family earlier this week.

BY JIM BULLEY [jim.bulley@joongang.co.kr]