Klinsmann proud of Son Heung-min, Kim Min-jae as ‘ambassadors of Korean football’
SEOUL, Aug. 21 (Yonhap) — South Korea head coach Jurgen Klinsmann is now linked to his two best players on the men’s national football team in more ways than one.
Klinsmann, one of the world’s premier strikers in the 1990s, spent the latter part of his club career with Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League and Bayern Munich in his native Germany. Those two clubs now employ two South Korean stars.
In this file photo from June 19, 2023, South Korean captain Son Heung-min (R) speaks at a press conference before a friendly match against El Salvador, alongside his head coach, Jurgen Klinsmann, at Daejeon World Cup Stadium in the central city of Daejeon. (Yonhap)
Longtime South Korea captain Son Heung-min was given Tottenham’s armband before the start of the 2023-24 season, his ninth with the North London club. Bayern Munich, the most successful club in Bundesliga history, signed South Korean defender Kim Min-jae during the summer transfer window, prying him away from Napoli, where Kim helped them win their first Italian Serie A title in 33 years.
Both players have enjoyed success in Europe already. Son won the Premier League Golden Boot in 2022, becoming the first Asian player to lead the top English league in scoring, while Kim, in addition to lifting Napoli to the top, was named the best defender in Serie A last season.
In an online interview with South Korean media Thursday, Klinsmann said he was “very proud” of both players.
“They are the ambassadors of Korean football in the global football world,” Klinsmann said from his Los Angeles home. “I think Korea can be really, really proud of this.”
Klinsmann, still considered a Spurs legend despite playing just two seasons in two separate stints, has visited Son a few times on his multiple European trips since taking over the South Korean team in March. Klinsmann was on hand for Son’s debut as Tottenham’s captain in their season opener against Brentford on Aug. 13.
“We are very, very proud that Sonny became captain of Tottenham Hotspur,” Klinsmann said, referring to Son by his widely-used nickname. “This is a very a wonderful achievement for Sonny to be captain of such a big club in England.”
In this AFP photo, Son Heung-min of Tottenham Hotspur applauds fans during a warmup ahead of a Premier League match against Brentford at Gtech Community Stadium in Brentford, England, on Aug. 13, 2023. (Yonhap)
As for Kim, considered one of the top center backs in Europe, Klinsmann said he has no concerns whatsoever.
“I don’t worry about Min-jae at all at Bayern Munich because he’s in a good place,” the coach said. “That’s one of the best teams in the world. He’s one of the best defenders in the world. He’ll do well at Bayern Munich.”
Klinsmann said he and Kim text each other “all the time” to stay in touch.
“He feels happy there. His family feels happy there,” Klinsmann added. “It’s exciting. I think it’s something to be very, very proud of.”
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GARY NEVILLE QUESTIONS TOTTENHAM PLAYER’S NEW ROLE IN POSTECOGLOU TACTICS
Gary Neville questioned the role of Pedro Porro as Tottenham Hotspur inverted their full backs against Manchester United.
Pedro Porro attempting to play as an inverted full back against Manchester United didn’t impress Gary Neville.
Ange Postecoglou has made it clear that he is going to play his way at Tottenham with no backing down.
That means expansive, attacking football – a far cry from the brand of football served up under Antonio Conte.
Sometimes that will mean exceptional attacking play, as we saw at times against Manchester United on Saturday.
Tottenham were well worth their 2-0 win over the Red Devils as Pape Matar Sarr and a Lisandro Martinez own goal sealed the three points.
From the confidence of Yves Bissouma to the driving and creativity of James Maddison, Tottenham were superb in the second half.
Postecoglou will be delighted with a big home win and a promising performance, but there were some issues too.
Gary Neville unconvinced by Tottenham’s Pedro Porro
Postecoglou’s season features full backs inverting into the middle of the pitch to act as extra midfielders in build-up play.
This is a real phenomenon at the moment with many coaches taking this tactical approach.
Postecoglou did the same throughout his time at Celtic, so he’s not just jumping on the craze now he’s at Tottenham.
This is a new role for Destiny Udogie and Pedro Porro, who are more used to playing as wing backs, never mind full backs in a four-man defence.
Udogie, Porro and Emerson Royal are learning on the job and that means there are bound to be mistakes.
The first half wasn’t ideal in this regard as Porro and Udogie seemed to get a little stuck on the ball whilst facing their own goal.
One moment saw Porro lose the ball just outside his own box, leading Gary Neville to share his doubts.
Neville told Sky Sports (19/08, 6:15pm) that he’s ‘not having’ using Porro as an inverted full back.
Neville slammed the Spaniard for acting like he’s Rodri or Xavi in the middle of the park, urging opposition players to press him.
United legend Neville added that the idea just ‘doesn’t work’ if the full backs aren’t comfortable enough on the ball, believing Porro isn’t a good fit for Postecoglou’s approach.
‘I’m not having it, I’m definitely not having it,” said Neville. “Honestly, Porro thinks he’s Rodri meets Xavi! Honestly, all day long, if you’re a Manchester United player pressing, you want him to have that ball played into him and it’s nearly cost them goals. It doesn’t work if you’re not comfortable on the ball,” he added.
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