Germany national team don enter new era. Jürgen Klopp na the new coach, and him first game go be against Netherlands for Amsterdam on Thursday for 2026/27 UEFA Nations League. The former Liverpool manager take over from Julian Nagelsmann in July after Germany comot from 2026 World Cup for shock way. Paraguay knock dem out for round of 32.
Before the Netherlands match, Klopp face press conference and e no promise silverware. ‘I no want promise anything,’ Klopp talk. ‘Wetin I can talk be say we go try, na that be the matter now. We dey where we dey at the moment.’ Him add say him hope people go see some things already tomorrow. ‘We need take steps and the boys ready for that.’
Klopp also explain say him dey in charge of senior team and him task na to carry the football to place where Germany go get chance to win every game. ‘E no go work every day but we dey work at am,’ e talk. The coach raise eyebrows last week when e name two separate squads for two sets of two matches as him rebuild the team ahead of Euro 2028.
In total, Klopp name huge roster for four games during September/October international break. No fewer than 44 players dey for Germany new coaching staff to assess over next couple of weeks. After Brajan Gruda injury-related withdrawal, Klopp still get 43 players for him first training camp. The plan be say after Netherlands away trip, Germany go face Greece twice, with home clash against Serbia in between. Then Germany host Greece on Sunday and Serbia on October 1 before travelling to Greece three days later.
Thomas Müller, wey dey play for MLS club Vancouver Whitecaps, talk say him surprise by Klopp first squad nomination. For post on LinkedIn, the veteran write: ‘Kloppo immediately do something unusual: naming 44 players for international call-up, that never happen before.’ He stress: ‘No one see that coming.’
But Müller no think say the XXL squad na bad thing. According to am, with two separate groups for him first four internationals as Germany coach, Klopp go fit give many players chance to present themselves for national team. ‘That way, right at start of him time in office, e go give many players chance to present themselves,’ Müller talk.
Only in summer, Müller and Klopp work together as expert duo for MagentaTV at World Cup wey disappoint from German perspective. Now the long-serving Bayern Munich player dey watch as spectator. ‘And above all, there is one thing I am – curious to see how he go approach it,’ e write. Müller add say wetin him generally expect from coaches na say clear signature go visible. ‘I like one better, perhaps another less. That normal and initially says nothing about team chances of success. But coach with clearly recognisable playing idea na important source of guidance for players.’ From him own experience, successful team need ‘shared, ordered chaos,’ the 37-year-old talk. For him, that describe best how to be successful on green pitch for long term.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid defender Antonio Rüdiger don retire from international duty. Him reveal decision on September 1. The centre-back win 83 caps and score three goals between May 2014 and June 29 this year, when Germany surprisingly comot from 2026 World Cup after Paraguay beat dem for round of 32. Rüdiger start two of him country four games for tournament and come on as substitute for their two opening victories.
Although Rüdiger make him debut for Germany before their 2014 World Cup victory, dem no select am for tournament and injury make am miss Euro 2016. But e play for five consecutive major tournaments after that, between 2018 and 2026. For social media, the 33-year-old talk: ‘After taking time to reflect, the moment don come for me to end my journey with national team and make room for younger generation.’ Him add: ‘When I first put on Germany jersey in 2014, I never imagine — not even in my dreams — say I go finish with 86 caps. Even though the big title no come in recent tournaments and we endure some painful defeats, this period special for me and e go stay with me forever.’
The decision likely good news for Real Madrid, wey go benefit from rested Rüdiger after defender get number of injury issues last season. Apart from Rüdiger, legendary goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and Brighton star Pascal Groß also call time on their international careers.
Klopp, meanwhile, don succeed Nagelsmann after Germany shock 2026 World Cup exit. Nagelsmann had talk following Germany Euro 2024 quarter-final defeat say him sad say him go wait two years to lift World Cup, prediction wey come back to haunt am when side comot by outsiders Paraguay this summer. Four-times world champions Germany don comot early for last three World Cups and dem never taste major international success since lifting last World Cup for 2014.
