Klinsmann: Reporters calling for dismissal 'don't understand soccer'

U.S. men's national team manager Jurgen Klinsmann is tired of reading headlines calling for his head, telling Sam Borden of the New York Times that reporters asking him to step down or be fired "don't understand soccer or the team."

Klinsmann received pointed criticism after failing to procure a single point in the first two matches of the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying "Hex" round, losing to Mexico and Costa Rica in emphatic fashion.

But the German tactician said those results don't have him fearing for his job.

"I'm not afraid," Klinsmann said. "What you need to do is stick to the facts. Soccer is emotional, and a lot of people make conclusions without knowing anything about the inside of the team or the sport. I still believe we will get the points we need to qualify, and I am even confident we could win the group.

"The fact is, we lost two games. There is a lot of talk from people who don’t understand soccer or the team."

Related: Embattled Klinsmann '1,000 percent sure' U.S. will reach World Cup

There had been speculation that Klinsmann and U.S. Soccer Federation head Sunil Gulati were set for a meeting following the 4-0 loss to Costa Rica. But Gulati has yet to comment on Klinsmann's future, while the coach expects to stay the course despite the setbacks.

"I am not saying I have nothing to be blamed for," Klinsmann admitted.

"I always made it clear to Sunil, if you really want to move up to the top 15 in the world, you need to have consistency in what you’re doing. If you react emotionally, you will become a roller coaster.

"We are coaching a team through a transitional phase. We still have to break in younger players. We still have to look for leadership for the team. There are still a lot of technical and chemistry challenges ahead that are normal in this time period. And you put the final pieces together as you go towards Russia, which I am absolutely sure we will do."