Klopp begins his tenure with Germany facing the Netherlands

Jurgen Klopp has promised a “new approach” as he begins his tenure as head coach of the German national team, which has suffered a significant decline in results since winning its fourth World Cup title in Brazil in 2014. He will lead the “Mannschaft” against host nation Netherlands in the opening match of the UEFA Nations League today.

On Monday, just days before the Amsterdam clash, Klopp released a video message addressed to fans in Germany and abroad. Speaking in English, the former Liverpool manager introduced himself as the “new” man taking charge, thanking supporters who “stand by us from all over the world.” The term “new” serves as a playful nod to his self-description as “ordinary” when he was appointed Liverpool manager, a label closely associated with his nine-year English career at Anfield.

Now, returning to the touchline for the first time since leaving Liverpool in 2024, Klopp has pledged to adopt a “new approach,” hoping to restore the faltering German giant to something resembling its former glory. His successes with Mainz and Borussia Dortmund in Germany, and with Liverpool in England, have earned him a status unmatched in modern German football.

While several prominent coaches have led the German national team, few have been granted comparable authority to effect radical change to the status quo. His first move was to announce an extended squad of 44 players, including 16 uncapped internationals, to be split into two groups for upcoming matches. Notably, fan-favorite striker Deniz Undav was excluded, signaling his readiness to think differently. Freiburg right-back Philip Trawitz is among the new call-ups.

After consistently reaching at least the semi-finals in major tournaments over the past decade, Germany has managed only one knockout-stage victory in either the World Cup or the European Championship since 2016. Klopp’s task of revitalizing the German national team appears daunting, but the 59-year-old manager is no stranger to breathing new life into fallen giants. During his squad announcement, Klopp distributed caps bearing the colors of the German flag and the slogan “One of 83 Million,” a reference to Germany’s population.