Jonathan Klinsmann, as the son of Jürgen Klinsmann, has to fight with a lot of pressure and comparisons. After difficult beginnings in his career, he has now celebrated the first breakthrough in Italy.
The same last name, different position. For fun, Jonathan Klinsmann put on goalkeeper gloves as a child and discovered his new passion. His father Jürgen Klinsmann was enthusiastic about this decision and is happy for him.
His father scored goals and prevents goals. One point less in which he can be compared to his father. Because the son of such a big and successful footballer ensures that you are constantly compared.
Jonathan Klinsmann finally made the breakthrough at Cesena
The 28-year-old also sees this himself and reveals in an interview with The Athletic : “It could have been quite difficult. At the end of the day there will still be comparisons, but it was fun when I went into the goal.”
He spent his football beginnings in the Bayern youth. At the same time, Jürgen Klinsmann was head coach at FC Bayern.
He was more than satisfied with his first goalkeeper coach, which gave him even more pleasure in the position: “I fell in love with the position. It somehow depends on your experience as a child.”
We went to Berlin via a scholarship
After he was born in Munich in 1997, the family moved to Italy and a few months later to London. Then the Klinsmann family remained in the USA, where Jonathan became part of a development program. This was followed by en college scholarship for football at the University of California in Berkeley.
He also went through the young area of the US national team from 2014. At the U20 Concacaf championship, he was elected the best goalkeeper in the tournament in 2017 and helped the team to the title.
In 2017 the return to Germany also followed when he signed his first professional contract at Hertha BSC. But despite the good performances in the national team and a penalty held in the Europa League game with Hertha, Pal Dardai mainly left the progress for the other goalkeepers.
Even later at FC Lucerne and La Galaxy, the German-American received little missions. In addition, there was another setback when he missed the qualification for the Olympic Games in Tokyo due to a concussion: “The Olympic Games have always been a dream of mine.”
Third change in five years
“It was a hard time for me.” To see that some of his teammates were allowed to play at the Olympics in Paris last summer, “also made him a little jealous.”
In February 2024, he then decided to change again. This time he moved to Cesena FC in Italy. “It was a decision that took some time,” he looks back at the change.
But the change had a reason: “The most important thing for me was to play. I need games.” At Cesena, too, with Matteo Pisseri he again had a competitor who was preferred by the trainer. “I think that was probably the hardest months of my career so far,” he said.
Jonathan Klinsmann had to wait a long time for his breakthrough
He asked himself: “Did I make the wrong decision here?” But after a few months he got a starting fine from Coach Michele Mignani. “We played a draw and that gave me a lot of confidence. Then I played every weekend,” he says euphorically.
Breakthrough in Italy for Klinsmann
That was the breakthrough for him. Then he only missed one game due to a small injury. In the rest of the games, he demonstrated his skills and stayed without conceding a goal seven times. He also became the penalty specialist and parried three out of four penalties.
This ensured that the first clubs from series A have already shown interest. But Klinsmann is currently satisfied with his role in Cesena, which is why he decided against a change.
Above all, he enjoys the recognition of the fans. He has often been addressed in public since his breakthrough. “I’m probably the only 1.90 meter tall American in the city, so I will not be noticed a bit,” he admitted humorously.
“People are quite respectful. Lately they have asked me to stay here,” he continued about the fans.
“It is simply the feeling of having to prove yourself”
Is Jürgen Klinsmann from all the pressure through legend, now that he has arrived in Italy, so no longer feel anything? “There is definitely pressure. It is simply the feeling of having to prove yourself,” he said.
It is particularly important to him: “I would like to show that I am here for a certain reason. Since I know that people always have something to say, I have to be good.”
One of his great goals is to continue to prove yourself in Italy and thus also be present for national coach Mauricio Pochettino.
As is well known, Jürgen Klinsmann has a long time. His son even sees some similarities between him and Pochettino: “There are many similarities from the time when my father was there. From the outside it feels similar.”
Becoming part of the home World Cup next year is “definitely a goal.” He got one step closer to him: Klinsmann is in the squad for the first time for the two test games of the US team in early September.
Jonathan Klinsmann, As The Son of Jürgen Klinsmann, Has to Struggle With a Lot of Pressure and Comparisons. After a Difficult Start to his career, he has now Celebrated his first breakthrough in Italy.
Same load name, different position. AS A Child, Jonathan Klinsmann Put on Goalkeeper Gloves for Fun and Discovered his New Passion. His father, Jürgen Klinsmann, what Thrilled with this decision and is happy for Him.
His father scored goals, and he prevents goals. One less point in which he can be compared to his father. Because BLEG The Son of Such a Great and Successful Soccer Player Ensures That You Are Constantly Compared to Each Other.
Jonathan Klinsmann Finally Made His Breakthough at Cesena
The 28-Year-Old So Realities This Himelf and Reveals In an interview with the athletic : “That Could have been pretty difficult. At the end of the day, there will be quiet be comparisons, but it was fun when in goal.”
He Spent his Early Soccer Years in the Bayern Youth Academy. At the same time, Jürgen Klinsmann was Head Coach at FC Bayern.
Hey was more Satisfied with his first goalkeeping coach, which gave Him Even more enjoyment in the position: “I fur in love with the position. It all somehow depers on your experience as a child.”
Via Scholarship It Went to Berlin
After Being Born in Munich in 1997, The Family First Moved to Italy and a Few Months Later to London. The Klinsmann Family Then Remained in the USA, Where Jonathan Became Part of a Development Program. This was Followed by a College Scholarship for Soccer at the University of California in Berkeley.
He so Went Through the Youth Ranks of the Us National Team from 2014. At the U20-Concacaf-Championship in 2017, he was voted the best goalkeeper of the tournament and helped the team to the title.
In 2017, he Returned to Germany when he signed his first professional contract with Hertha BSC. But Despite his good performances in the national team and a Saved penalty in the Europa League Game with Hertha, Pal Dardai Mainly Gave the other Goalkeepers Preference.
Later at FC Luzern and La Galaxy, The German-American So Got Few Appearances. In addition, there was another Setback when he hagg missed the qualification for the Olympic Games in Tokyo Due to a concussion: “The Olympic Games Have Always Been a Dream of Mine.”
Third Change in Five Years
“It was a hard time for me.” Seing some of his Teams Play at the Olympics in Paris Last Summer So Made Him “A Little Envious.”
In February 2024, he that decided to change again. This time it took Him to Italy to Cesena FC. “It was a decision that took some time,” He looks back on the mov.
But the Change Had a Reason: “The most importing thing for me was to play. I need games.” So at cesena he had again with matteo pisseri a Competitor Who was preferred by the coach. “I Think Those Were Probably the Hardest Months of My Career So Far,” Hey Explained.
Jonathan Klinsmann Had to Wait A Long Time for his Breakthrough
He Asked Himelf the Question: “Did I Make The Wrong Decision here?” But after a FEW MONTHS HE GOT A Starting Eleven Appearance from Coach Michele Mignani. “We drew and that gave me a lot of confidence. Then I played every week,” He Says euphorically.
Breakthrough in Italy for Klinsmann
That what his breakthrough. Afterwards, He Missed Only One Game Due to a Minor Injury. In the Remaining Games He Proved his skills and Remained Without Conceding a Goal Seven Times. He so that Became a Penalty Specialist and Saved Three Out of Four Penalties.
This Ensured that First Clubs from Serie a have already shown interest. But Klinsmann is Currently Satisfied with his Role in Cesena, which is why he decided against a change.
Above all, he enjoys the recognition of the fans. Since his Breakthrough, He is Often Approached in Public. “I’m probably the only 6’3” American in Town, so I stood out a bit, “He admitted humorously.
“People are Pretty Respectful. Lately they’ve bees asking me to stay here,” He continued about the fans.
“It’s just the feeling of having to prove yourself”
Is there nothing Left of all the pressure from Legend Jürgen Klinsmann, now that he has arrived in Italy? “There is definite pressure. It’s just the feeling of having to prove myelf,” he explained.
It is Especialy Important to Him: “I Want to Be to Show that I am here for a Reason. Since I Know That People Always Have Something to Say, I have to be good.”
One of his big goals is to continue to prove Himelf in Italy and Thus so to be present for national coach Mauricio Pochettino.
Jürgen Klinsmann so Has a USA past. His sons sees some similarities between Him and Pochettino: “There Are many similarities from when my father was there. From the outside it feel similar.”
Being Part of the Home World Cup Next Year is “Definitely a goal.” Hey come one step closer to this: Klinsmann is in the squad for the two test matches of the us team at the starting of September for the first time.