The gloves are off in Seoul. South Korean supporters are howling for the head of national team coach Jurgen Klinsmann after a disastrous Asian Cup campaign. The German's position is now perilous, with the Korea Football Association facing a revolt from the very fans who once idolised their team.
But step back. Look at the bigger picture. British managers now dominate the global game like never before. From the Premier League to the Bundesliga, from La Liga to Serie A, English, Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish coaches are calling the shots. The stats are staggering. In Europe's top five leagues, over a third of managers are British. In the Premier League, the figure is closer to half.
Westminster would kill for those approval ratings. But the irony is not lost on the political class. Here we are, fretting about post-Brexit Britain's place in the world, while our football coaches are running the show from Munich to Madrid.
Whitehall sources tell me the foreign office is quietly using this as a soft power tool. Trade deals are easier when the other side's top negotiator supports Liverpool. The game's global reach is immense. British tactical nous, the famous 'boot room' culture, the emphasis on youth development. It sells.
Yet back to Klinsmann. His crime? Failing to connect. South Korean fans feel he doesn't understand their footballing soul. Compare that with the meticulous British approach. The attention to detail on set-pieces. The man-management. The ability to adapt to local culture.
Take Graham Potter. After a tough ride at Chelsea, he's rebuilding his reputation overseas. The same goes for Steven Gerrard, now in Saudi Arabia. British coaches are seen as adaptable, pragmatic, and unafraid to learn.
Polls show that in South Korea, approval for British football is high. But for their own German coach? Plummeting. The fans want passion. They want someone who bleeds for the badge. Klinsmann, they feel, is a mercenary.
Here's the inside story. The KFA met this week. Sources tell me there is a split. The older guard want to keep Klinsmann. They argue stability. The younger members, influenced by the success of British managers at club level, want a change. A British coach? It's on the table.
Watch this space. The next move could be a seismic shift in South Korean football. And a testament to the enduring influence of British coaching.
For now, the faithful rage. The coach sweats. And British managers continue their quiet conquest of the world.
