Klopp Germany era will kick off with a low-key message, as Juergen Klopp has refused to make any guarantees regarding trophies and said his team will need to make some improvements to the Netherlands in Thursday’s Nations League match.
After suffering yet another World Cup embarrassment – this time at the hands of Paraguay – the former Liverpool manager would become the manager of Germany in July. His appointment was made after Julian Nagelsmann’s job was finished after Germany pulled out of the tournament early.
Earlier, after their Euro 2024 quarter-final defeat, Nagelsmann had expressed his confidence about Germany’s long-term plans, stating that he was “disappointed that he had to wait two years before having the chance to win the World Cup again. That forecast, however, was too early after Germany’s defeat this summer.
Klopp was asked if his earlier remarks about Liverpool – where he claimed he could win any big competition if he had the time – were applicable to his new international role. His time with Liverpool eventually resulted in a number of big awards, such as the Premier League and Champions League.
But the 59-year-old was more measured in his assessment of Germany’s prospects.
“Nothing can be promised,” Klopp said to the reporters. I can only say, we will try, and that’s what it is about now.
Germany are four-time world champions, but have all been eliminated in the early stages of World Cups in their last 3 appearances. They last had a significant international success in 2014 when they won the World Cup in Brazil. But for Klopp, the priority in the short-term isn’t necessarily silverware, but building a squad that can sit in the balance against any team at any time.
