Jürgen Klinsmann

German striker and manager who won the 1990 World Cup and later coached the USMNT.

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Jürgen Klinsmann (born 30 July 1964) is a German professional football manager and former player. He played for several prominent clubs in Europe including VfB Stuttgart, Inter Milan, Monaco, Tottenham Hotspur, and Bayern Munich. He was part of the West German team that won the 1990 FIFA World Cup and the unified German team that won the UEFA Euro 1996. As a manager, Klinsmann managed the German national team to a third-place finish at the 2006 FIFA World Cup and was subsequently coach of a number of other teams including Bundesliga club Bayern Munich and the United States national team.

Quick Facts

Born: 30 July 1964
Birthplace: Göppingen, West Germany
Height: 1.81 m / 5 ft 11 in
Position: Striker

Lore & Background

Considered one of Germany's premier strikers during the 1990s, Klinsmann scored in all six major international tournaments he participated in for Germany, from UEFA Euro 1988 to the 1998 FIFA World Cup. In 1995, he came in third in the FIFA World Player of the Year award; in March 2004 he was named in the FIFA 100 list of the '125 Greatest Living Footballers'. In 2016, he became the fifth player to be named as honorary captain of Germany.

Reader's Guide

Klinsmann began his professional career in 1982 at second-division side Stuttgarter Kickers. In 1984, he moved to VfB Stuttgart, where he became Bundesliga top scorer in 1987–88 and was named German Footballer of the Year in 1988. He later played for Inter Milan (winning the UEFA Cup in 1990–91), Monaco, Tottenham Hotspur (where he won the 1995 Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year), and Bayern Munich (winning the 1995–96 UEFA Cup and the 1996–97 Bundesliga). He also had brief spells at Sampdoria and Orange County Blue Star. Internationally, he debuted for West Germany in 1987 and was a key player in their 1990 World Cup victory. He managed the German national team from 2004 to 2006, leading them to third place at the 2006 World Cup.

Did You Know?

Klinsmann scored 16 goals in a single match at age eight for TB Gingen.
He completed an apprenticeship as a baker in his family's business before turning professional.
Klinsmann learned Italian during his time at Inter Milan and became popular with fans.
He self-deprecatingly dived to the ground as a goal celebration on his Tottenham debut to counter his reputation as a diver.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Jürgen Klinsmann?

Jürgen Klinsmann is a German former professional striker and manager, born on 30 July 1964, who is best known in the United States for serving as head coach of the US Men's National Team. He first made his name as a prolific forward across top European clubs before transitioning into the managerial side of the game.

What role did Klinsmann hold with the USMNT?

Klinsmann was appointed head coach of the United States Men's National Team, the top managerial position for the country's senior men's side. He took on the role after steering the German national team to a third-place finish at the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Which clubs did Klinsmann play for during his career?

Over the course of his playing days, Klinsmann featured for several prominent European sides, including VfB Stuttgart, Inter Milan, AS Monaco, Tottenham Hotspur, and Bayern Munich.

What major trophies did Klinsmann win as a player?

Klinsmann lifted the 1990 FIFA World Cup with West Germany and the UEFA European Championship in 1996 with the unified German national team. Those two international titles remain the highlights of his playing career.