International Football
Jurgen Klinsmann in trouble after seven months and no wins with South Korea
South Korea face Saudi Arabia in a friendly at Newcastle United’s St James’ Park on Tuesday, with Jurgen Klinsmann under severe pressure after a wretched start as coach.
The German legend was appointed only in February, but his South Korea side have failed to win in the five games since, losing twice and drawing thrice.
The latest disappointment was a drab 0-0 stalemate away at an equally off-colour Wales last week, after which skipper Son Heung-min came to the defence of the 59-year-old Klinsmann.
“I understand where fans come from, as someone who’s been on the national team for a long time. I am not saying the coach is always right, but I also don’t think fans are always right either,” the Tottenham Hotspur forward said in Cardiff.
“Many different players have been getting opportunities. In some ways, the coach is trying to identify new players, instead of trying to put up results right away. I am sure he knows what he’s doing.”
South Korea, ranked 28th in the world, reached the last 16 of the Qatar World Cup before being outclassed 4-1 by Brazil, after which coach Paulo Bento said he would not stay on.
The Korea Football Association launched a protracted search for his successor before settling on Klinsmann, a World Cup winner as a player but whose coaching career has never hit the same heights.
Many South Korean fans were underwhelmed by the appointment, and the performances since have only added to those misgivings.
Klinsmann, whose previous coaching job was a short stint with Hertha Berlin more than three years ago, started with a 2-2 home draw with Colombia, before home defeats by Uruguay and Peru.
Then came a 1-1 home draw with El Salvador, but the result and listless performance in the goal-less stalemate with Wales have piled the pressure on the former United States coach.
It does not help that the Koreans’ fierce rivals Japan are in fine form, beating four-time world champions Germany 4-1 on Saturday.
Despite boasting Asia’s finest attacker in the talisman Son, South Korea conjured up just one shot on target against the 35th-ranked Welsh. They have scored four times in five matches under Klinsmann, who was a prolific striker in his pomp.
However, it is what the former Germany skipper and coach is doing off the pitch that has equally angered fans.
Supporters and media accuse him of reneging on a pledge to move to the country, saying he spends more time at home in California than in South Korea.
Klinsmann’s media duties away from the Korean job have also been touted by critics as more evidence that he is not sufficiently committed to the job.
Choi Dong-ho, a commentator and director of the Centre for Sports Culture research group, said Klinsmann appeared “negligent”.
“Considering his limited familiarity with Korean players, he should at least be watching all K League games in person rather than being ‘briefed’ by other coaches while he stays abroad,” said Choi.
The German, however, sees things differently.
“The only way for me to improve this team and this programme is I come to Europe say hello and I talk to people all day long,” he said in an interview released by football YouTube channel Dalsu Live on Monday.
“When I come to Korea, in and out, in and out, that is the only way I can improve. If not, it’s better somebody else. No problem.”
Failure to beat Saudi Arabia, who are ranked 54th in the world, would leave Klinsmann clinging to his job after less than seven months in charge.
“Klinsmann’s seeming lack of urgency in light of poor performances hasn’t sat well with South Korean fans, many of whom have already begun calling for the German tactician’s head,” Yonhap news agency said on Monday.
Klinsmann insists that the team are in transition and his focus is on the Asian Cup in Qatar in January and February 2024.
“How prepared are they mentally for a big tournament? Can they deal with all the pressure, all the expectations and all those different elements?” Klinsmann said after the Wales draw.
“It’s a growing process. And I’m pleased overall with what the players showed, and we’ll keep growing game by game.”
-AFP
By Kunle Solaja
Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Portugal will meet for only the second time at the senior level when they clash in an international friendly in Leiria on Wednesday night.
The encounter comes under remarkably similar circumstances to their first meeting in November 2022, when Portugal defeated Nigeria 4-0 in Lisbon just days before the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Once again, Portugal are using Nigeria as their final warm-up match before the World Cup. Four years ago, the Portuguese selected the Super Eagles to prepare for a group-stage clash against Ghana, the team that denied Nigeria a place at Qatar 2022.
History appears to be repeating itself. This time, Portugal are preparing for a World Cup opening fixture against the Democratic Republic of Congo, another team that shattered Nigeria’s World Cup ambitions by eliminating the Super Eagles from the qualification race.
The match at the 29,000-capacity Estádio Dr Magalhães Pessoa offers Nigeria an opportunity to avenge the heavy defeat suffered four years ago and test themselves against one of Europe’s strongest sides.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has assembled a star-studded squad featuring five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Rafael Leão and João Félix.
The Portuguese head into the encounter unbeaten in their last four matches, having recorded victories over the United States and Chile while drawing with Mexico.
Nigeria, under coach Eric Chelle, have also enjoyed an impressive run. Since taking charge 15 months ago, the Franco-Malian tactician has overseen 24 matches and suffered only one defeat in regulation time.
With both teams carrying impressive recent records, Wednesday’s friendly promises to be far more competitive than the scoreline from their last meeting suggests.
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By Kunle Solaja
Nigeria coach Eric Chelle will put his impressive record on the line when the Super Eagles face Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal in an international friendly on Wednesday.
Since assuming control of the national team 15 months ago, Chelle has transformed the Super Eagles into a difficult side to beat. The Franco-Malian coach has supervised 24 matches and suffered only one defeat in normal time.
That record will be severely tested against a Portuguese side brimming with quality and confidence ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has every reason to be optimistic. His team are unbeaten in their last four outings and possess one of the strongest squads heading to the World Cup finals.
The Seleção das Quinas will rely on the experience of Cristiano Ronaldo and the creativity of Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva, while Ruben Dias marshals a defence that has been difficult to break down.
Nigeria will be without star forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, but Chelle still has significant attacking options in Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Paul Onuachu, Akor Adams and Terem Moffi.
The Eagles have also received encouraging news with the availability of defenders Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey and Emmanuel Fernandez despite the injury-enforced departure of Igoh Ogbu from camp.
A positive result in Leiria would further strengthen belief in Chelle’s methods and provide another indication that the Super Eagles are moving in the right direction under his leadership.
Kick-off is scheduled for 8:45 p.m. in both Portugal and Nigeria.
NIGERIA’S LAST FIVE MATCHES
- Iran I Nigeria 2 (International Friendly: 27/03/26)
- Jordan 2 Nigeria 2 (International Friendly: 31/03/26)
- Nigeria 2 Zimbabwe 0 (Unity Cup 2026: 26/05/26)
- Jamaica 0 Nigeria 3 (Unity Cup 2026: 30/05/26)
- Poland 2 Nigeria 2 (International Friendly: 03/06/26)
PORTUGAL’S LAST FIVE MATCHES
- Ireland 2 Portugal 0 (2026 World Cup Qualifier: 13/11/25)
- Portugal 9 Armenia 1 (2026 World Cup Qualifier: 16/11/25)
- Mexico 0 Portugal 0 (International Friendly: 29/03/26)
- USA 0 Portugal 2 (International Friendly: 01/04/26)
- Portugal 2 Chile 1 (International Friendly: 06/06/26)
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By Kunle Solaja
Alexander Iwobi will join an elite group of Nigerian footballers this Wednesday when he earns his 100th international cap in the Super Eagles’ friendly against Portugal in Leiria.
The midfielder will be honoured before kick-off at the Estádio Dr Magalhães Pessoa as he reaches the significant landmark in a career that has spanned more than a decade with the national team.
Iwobi’s milestone provides an additional layer of significance to a high-profile encounter against a Portuguese side packed with global stars and preparing for the FIFA World Cup.
The former Arsenal player is expected to play a central role in coach Eric Chelle’s plans as Nigeria seeks a positive result against Roberto Martinez’s men.
Captain Wilfred Ndidi is likely to partner Iwobi in midfield, with Frank Onyeka, Raphael Onyedika, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Tochukwu Nnadi among the options available to complete the engine room.
Despite the absence of key attackers Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, Chelle, according to a press release by the NFF, remains optimistic. Samuel Chukwueze has returned after missing the recent friendly against Poland, while Moses Simon, Paul Onuachu, Terem Moffi and Akor Adams are available.
The Super Eagles coach will also draw confidence from the recent performances of Philip Otele, whose displays at the Unity Cup in London and against Poland have earned widespread praise.
Iwobi’s century appearance will place him among the most-capped players in Nigeria’s football history and provide added motivation for the Super Eagles as they seek to upset one of Europe’s most talented squads.
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