Jurgen to have to win the whole thing!

DOHA — It's all or bust at the Asian Cup for Jurgen Klinsmann, who has declared that anything but a first title since 1960 for South Korea will be a failure.

It is a bold target for a coach who did not win any of his first five games in charge and has never hit the same giddy heights he scaled as a player.

Given his coaching record, South Korean fans were skeptical about the legendary German forward's appointment 11 months ago, and he quickly came under fire following a poor start.

The 59-year-old former Team USA coach also faced criticism from media and fans who said he spends more time at home in California than he does in South Korea.

Results have improved, but Asian Cup failure over the next month in Qatar could spell the end of a patchy coaching career, which had fallen off the map until he took the South Korea job.

His previous post was at Hertha Berlin, which he vacated in February 2020 after a mere 10 weeks.

Klinsmann nevertheless believes it is "right" that South Korean fans expect a team led by Son Heung-min to win the Asian Cup for the first time in more than 60 years.

"We have to aim for the highest target, and if we don't reach it, then it's the fault of the coach — no problem," he said.

Klinsmann has one of the strongest squads in the tournament, led once again by Tottenham Hotspur striker and skipper Son.

Son has long been South Korea's focal point but several of his teammates have come into form with their clubs at just the right time.

Fellow attacker Hwang Hee-chan has impressed for Wolves this season, scoring 10 goals in 20 Premier League matches.

Attacking midfielder Lee Kang-in, who was out of favor under previous South Korean boss Paulo Bento, has played his way into the Paris Saint-Germain side and the 22-year-old could be one of the breakout stars of the Asian Cup.

At the back, central defender Kim Min-jae is a regular for Bayern Munich after winning the Italian title with Napoli.

Dismal record

South Korea reached the last 16 of the Qatar World Cup under Bento, before being beaten 4-1 by Brazil, but his side was functional rather than thrilling.

Klinsmann is a more attack-minded coach and has encouraged the younger players to "be more courageous, to express themselves and to grow faster".

"I think the best example is Kangin," he said of the PSG player.

"With Kang-in now, compared to six months ago, you have a completely different rhythm to the game with his qualities."

South Korea has won its last six games, scoring 20 goals with none conceded.

But Klinsmann is still under fire from critics, who accuse him of spending too much time abroad and ignoring the domestic K League.

Klinsmann argues that he is "an international coach", and has resisted calls for him to change his approach.

South Korea's dismal Asian Cup record is a mystery for a team that has appeared at the last 10 World Cups.

It lost to host Australia in the 2015 final and was bundled out by Qatar in the quarterfinals four years later.

The team starts its title charge in Qatar against Bahrain on Monday. Malaysia and Jordan are also in the group, which, on paper, it should top with ease.

Whichever team South Korea faces after that, Klinsmann's message to his players will be the same — bring home the Asian Cup.

"I believe in this Korean team and that they can make it happen, because we have so much quality with so many good players doing really well," he said.

"We are capable of winning this tournament. It takes a lot of work, it will take a lot of special moments, but it's absolutely doable."

AFP