Jurgen Klopp hands Germany youngster Saeed Al-Mulla fresh chance after Nagelsmann setback

Saeed Al-Mulla has been called up to the Germany senior squad for the second time and is hoping to make his international debut under new head coach Jurgen Klopp.

The 20-year-old Cologne forward described Klopp’s telephone call informing him of his selection as “short and concise”, explaining that he was on a plane when the manager tried to reach him.

Al-Mulla sent Klopp a text message promising to call him back as soon as he had landed. Speaking to Cologne radio on Tuesday, in comments reported by German magazine Kicker, he said: “The call was short and concise. He was receiving a lot of calls at that moment, and many players were calling him back.”

The player admitted he initially felt nervous speaking to Klopp, but said the manager’s personality quickly eased the tension.

“I was nervous, but the nerves disappear after 10 seconds,” Al-Mulla said. “He is a manager who wins you over with his humour, and after that you are no longer nervous.”

Klopp also told him that they would have a longer conversation once he arrived at the Germany camp.

“He said to me: ‘When you arrive, we will talk calmly again,’” Al-Mulla added.

The call-up has particular significance for a player who recently extended his contract with Cologne until 2031. Al-Mulla believes his return to the senior squad reflects the progress he has made.

“I really appreciate this call-up,” he said. “It means that he saw something in me that he liked.”

He added: “Of course, there are areas I need to improve. He knows that, and I know that too. But I have an opportunity to show what I can do, and I will make the most of it.”

Al-Mulla first joined up with Germany in November 2025 under former manager Julian Nagelsmann. However, he did not feature against Luxembourg and was subsequently returned to the Germany Under-21 squad.

Nagelsmann later left him out of the squad for the 2026 World Cup, despite Al-Mulla producing an impressive Bundesliga campaign in which he scored 13 goals and provided five assists. The omission led him to express his disappointment on several occasions.

Klopp’s appointment has quickly changed the situation. Sky Sports has reported that the new Germany manager is “firmly planning” to involve Al-Mulla in the Nations League matches against Serbia and Greece.

Germany will begin the Klopp era against the Netherlands at the Johan Cruyff Arena on Thursday in the opening round of League A in the Nations League. They will then face Greece and Serbia on 27 September and 1 October respectively.