Football

Looking to reverse the fortunes of the German national team and bring Die Mannschaft back to its position atop the European and global football pyramid, Jurgen Klopp has arrived to lead Germany forward.

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Since winning the 2014 FIFA World Cup title, Germany has floundered in both continental and global competition. They have progressed no further than the Round of 32 at the World Cup in that span, sensationally eliminated in the group stage twice; have made the semifinals of the European Championships just once back in 2016; and have struggled in the UEFA Nations League, reaching the semifinals there just one time, finishing fourth in 2025.

After Julian Nagelsmann departed in the aftermath of the 2026 World Cup, Klopp — widely considered the best German manager in the world — was convinced to make a return to full-time coaching, having left his Liverpool post two years ago.

Now rejuvenated and full of exuberance, Klopp will be hoping to change the fortunes of the national team, starting with the 2026/27 Nations League. With Klopp set to debut as manager against the Netherlands on Thursday, here’s what fans need to know about his arrival.

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Three things to watch for as Jurgen Klopp makes Germany debut

Up-tempo attacking style

At Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp was known for his high-flying tactical approach which prioritized a ruthless attack over solidity at the back. That is not to say his teams weren’t great defensively — they were, unequivocally — but they would often play high-scoring, or at least up-tempo games, to their preference.

Klopp’s approach is, at its core, an identifiably German style. After spending time as Red Bull global head of football, where they are also known for their high-pressing, up-tempo style, it is almost certain that Klopp will bring that mentality with him to the German national team.

With the recent regression of German attacking football under the last few managers, Klopp’s style will be a breath of fresh air to the national federation, which is desperate to find new ideas for regressing attacking stars like Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala, and Nick Woltemade, amongst others.

It will be Klopp’s primary goal to get those attacking players going, and not only firing but firing consistently against all levels of opponent. Expect that to begin with this international break, even if there are some growing pains.

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Ruthless selection

There will be some harsh decisions for Klopp to make moving forward, but he’s almost certainly prepared to make those calls.

To begin, Klopp has gone for a massive squad, selecting 44 players to the national team for this four-match international break. He has split the squad into two groups of 22 individuals in order to lighten the load on each player and allow for the chance to get a look at as many players as possible.

For example, the likes of Florian Wirtz and Karim Adeyemi have been assigned to the second group, so they will not take part in this match. Meanwhile, he has called up 15 uncapped players to the squad, including Vitaly Janelt, Max Rosenfelder, and Younes Ebnoutalib. Players will get their opportunity, and he will be ruthless with his selection moving forward.

It may come at an initial cost, as Klopp seems to be using these first four games as what is essentially an experimentation lab, even though it’s a competitive environment. Clearly, the focus is on the long-term, not the immediate performance.

Renewed focus on unity

Jurgen Klopp has preached national unity ahead of his debut as Germany head coach. Not just pride in the national team, but pride in the German identity, and pride in the flag.

It’s an easy thing to trumpet in the beginning, and a tougher thing to cling to when things aren’t going your way, but if there’s anyone who can stay the course through tough times, it’s Klopp. He’s an exceptional man-manager, and that side of him has already been on display.

So what does that mean tangibly on the field? For starters, he’s going to prioritize players who want to play for the national team. Individuals who show dedication, desire, and hunger to play for their country will be given opportunities that those whose motivation wavers will not.

This is something which will meter out over the long-term rather than pay dividends right away, a theme of Klopp’s start as manager.

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How to watch Netherlands vs. Germany

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