Jurgen Klinsmann started his career with impressive stints at Stuttgart, Inter Milan, and finally Monaco. This, combined with a World Cup win in 1990 and a stunning campaign in 1994, was enough to set Alan Sugar’s sights on the German striker.
And so Sugar moored his yacht in Monte Carlo and invited Klinsmann aboard. This, combined with Ossie Ardiles management and a potential front-line partnership with Teddy Sheringham, was more than convincing. On July 29th, Klinsmann joined Spurs.
Klinsmann was set to make his debut against Sheffield Wednesday. In this game, Klinsmann created one of the most iconic Premier League moments ever. Despite his brilliance, English fans mocked him as a ‘diver’.
On the day of the game, a Sheffield Wednesday fan remarked: “Well, I just hope he doesn’t dive.” (Sky Sports) In the 82nd minute of the game, Klinsmann leapt up and fired a header past the keeper. To address the background noise, he ran to the corner of the pitch and dove on his front with his hands out.
This celebration swiftly became a piece of Premier League history. It could be seen across the football leagues and down to games played in the local parks. It became an iconic moment, and he had already endeared himself to Spurs fans — not only did he possess extreme talents but also a personality that the fans could rally around.
Despite coming off the pitch with a head injury on his debut, he started the next match against Everton for what would be his home debut. The fans at White Hart Lane didn’t have to wait long to see a glimmer of what Klinsmann had to offer, because in the 21st minute, a high ball travelled towards him. He repositioned himself, turned, and delivered the most spectacular bicycle kick.
In his moment of jubilation, he ran to the corner, delivered his newly trademarked dive, and was joined by the rest of his teammates doing the same thing. Just before halftime, Klinsmann went on to score again, securing a brace on his home debut.
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He didn’t stop there, as he and Sheringham formed a formidable partnership. With these two up front, Spurs were never short of goals; their combined goal tally was a staggering 52 in all competitions and 38 in the league (Transfermarkt).
The firepower Spurs had in the front line was brilliant to watch, and despite initially being banned from the FA Cup, Spurs were allowed back in after a win in the courtroom.
Spurs faced Liverpool in the quarterfinal, and after a Robbie Fowler goal on the break of the half, Spurs had work to do. However, just before the whistle blew, they looked to the magicians up top, and of course, once they found them, they connected. After a slight hold on the ball, Klinsmann released Sherringham, who struck it from distance past the outstretched reach of the Liverpool keeper.
Despite Spurs claiming the momentum, nothing was to come, and time trickled away. The players had almost prepared themselves for extra time. Nevertheless, the Spurs side kept plummeting away.
After a bobbling ball was played into Sheringham, no one thought anything of it, yet he was able to play the ball through the compact defence into his partner, whom he knew all too well. Klinsmann picked up the ball with just the keeper in front, and he was able to slide it around for a spectacular goal in the 89th minute.
This game personified the special connection these two players had, they always knew where each other was and how to find them with the most beautifully weighted pass. Klinsmann stated: “The partnership with Teddy was one of the most enjoyable experiences I had in my career.” (The Team That Dared To Do)
Spurs’ unlikely FA Cup run unfortunately fell to pieces after they lost to eventual winners Everton in the semi-final. The final score was 4-1, with Klinsmann picking up what would end up being a consolation penalty goal.
Despite the fever dream that was the season with Klinsmann Spurs, they only managed to finish 7th. However, with some investment in defence, they could push on. Sugar had already invested in the infrastructure of the club and did not want to spend big in the summer.
Naturally, Klinsmann felt it was right to move on to keep his career moving. This infuriated Sugar and he said on a Sportsnight interview that he “got up, grabbed the shirt and threw it at him, saying he could go and clean his car with it as far as I was concerned. Not one of the moments I’m proud of.” (FourFourTwo) He left for Bayern Munich in the summer, and for Spurs fans, they felt this was the last they would see of him. But they were wrong.
After a successful stint at Bayern Munich, winning the league and the UEFA Cup (now coined the Europa League) he then moved on to play at Sampdoria, which was ultimately a failure as he scored just two goals at the start of the season. After this, Spurs pounced and brought the cult hero back to north London on a free transfer in the January window.
Upon his return, he was greeted by a deflated Spurs who sat on the verge of relegation. Klinsmann needed to be firing on all cylinders to get Spurs through the rough. And so he finished his Spurs career largely where he left off, and he managed to score nine goals in 15 games in the league. Klinsmann and Ginola were the standout players in one of the most disappointing Spurs teams.
They finished the league in 14th and teetered with relegation throughout. However, it was largely the heroics of Klinsmann that pulled them out of the drop and set them in good stead for the next season, where they went on to win the League Cup.
Klinsmann also ended his second stint at Spurs the way he had the first, leaving prematurely. The memories he made for Spurs fans will last a lifetime. Fans still wear his shirts on matchday, and he regularly attends matches when he’s not managing the South Korean national team.
Klinsmann will always have the legacy of being one of the largest foreign impacts in the Premier League, and yet he only played two seasons.
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