​ FIFA World Cup winner Jurgen Klinsmann supporting son in Korea Republic

Jonathan plays as goalkeeper for USA

"It's natural that you discuss soccer. It's a soccer home"

You would think Jurgen Klinsmann has experienced about all there is to experience from football. He’s put on many hats in the game, from decorated player to manager to pundit. However there is one that he is perhaps still getting used to: father.

Klinsmann is in Korea Republic to support his son, Jonathan, compete for USA as goalkeeper at the FIFA U-20 World Cup. “Just to see this age group, independent of your own son, is fun because you see all the emotions that these young players are going through,” Jurgen told* FIFA.com* in an exclusive interview after watching his son keep his first World Cup clean sheet. “You feel for them because they’re nervous. There’s no real favourite team. Anybody can beat anybody, so it’s really enjoyable.

“Obviously when your own son plays, you keep your fingers crossed for him! It’s a little bit difficult because he chose to become a goalkeeper (*laughs). *It would’ve been easier if he was a striker, but I think he really enjoys it and it’s a lot of fun.”

Jurgen is considered one of the best forwards to play the game, so how did his son choose to become a goalkeeper?

“At the age of 12,” Jurgen said. “He was an attacking midfielder until then and was very talented and then suddenly he said he wanted to play goalie. At the same time he loved to play basketball, so he was always kind of catching the ball. From there on he was a goalie and he keeps improving!”

Many parents struggle with influencing their sons or daughters in a certain direction for hobbies or interests, but was Jurgen the same?

“No, no, no. I just hoped he would enjoy a team sport. Until the age of 16 he wasn’t sure if he should go with basketball or soccer. But he chose soccer. He was very talented at basketball.”