Min-jae Kim (27, Naples), the ‘monster defender’ who suffered from severe mental stress and even retired from the national team, met with national soccer team coach Jurgen Klinsmann and had time to communicate.
On the 19th, the Korea Football Association said on the official SNS, “Coach Klinsman and Coach Paolo Stringara, who visited Italy, watched the UEFA Champions League (UCL) Napoli-AC Milan match held in Naples and had time to communicate with Kim Min-jae. had,” he said. The association also released a photo taken with Kim Min-jae, coach Klinsman, and coach Paolo Stringara smiling broadly.
Kim Min-jae did not play in the 2022-23 UCL quarterfinal second leg home game against AC Milan held at Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in Naples that day. In the first match, he received an unnecessary yellow card for violently protesting the referee’s decision. After receiving the third yellow card of the tournament, he could not step on the ground due to the cumulative warning.스포츠토토
Napoli, who lost 0-1 in the first leg of the away game, went to the second leg without Kim Min-jae, but drew 1-1. The total score of the 1st and 2nd games was lost 1-2, and I experienced the bitter taste of elimination.
On this day, Kim Min-jae watched the game from the stands with coach Klinsman and coach Stringara. After the game, he seemed to have a separate meeting and talk about this and that.
Head coach Klinsman, who made his debut as the head coach of the Korean national team through an A-match last March, is currently on a business trip to Europe to check the condition of European Taegeuk warriors. After meeting with Son Heung-min (Tottenham) and Oh Hyun-gyu (Celtic) on the 15th and 16th, I visited Naples, where Kim Min-jae is staying.
Kim Min-jae played in all two A-matches in March, when he first took the helm under coach Klinsman, but showed a disappointing appearance. After the match, he complained of mental stress and even mentioned the possibility of retiring from the national team.
Coach Klinsman, who played an active role as a world-class striker as a player, has no choice but to understand Kim Min-jae’s difficulties better than anyone else. As such, it is hoped that I will have several advices as concerned from his own experience. Coach Klinsman is evaluated as a leader who stands out more for his ability to touch the hearts of players and unite the team than his tactical abilities.
Coach Klinsmann, who moved to Italy via England and Scotland, goes to his native Germany to meet Bundesliga players Lee Jae-seong (Mainz) and Jung Woo-young (Freiburg).