Klopp vows to revive Germany with fresh approach as Nations League begins

Jurgen Klopp has promised a “new approach” as he begins his Germany tenure with the four-time world champions seeking their first Nations League title.

The former Liverpool manager addressed supporters in a video on Monday, four days before Germany’s opening match against the Netherlands in Amsterdam. Speaking in English, Klopp introduced himself as “the new one” in charge and thanked fans who “support us from all over the world”.

The phrase was a reference to his famous “the normal one” description when he was unveiled by Liverpool, a line that became closely associated with his nine years at Anfield.

Klopp, back in management for the first time since leaving Liverpool in 2024, said Germany would make their new identity clear immediately.

“We will try everything to make our new approach visible. I expect more immediately,” he said on Thursday.

“It might get a bit wild, but I’ll take that; it just has to be lively.”

Following the Netherlands match, Klopp will lead Germany in their first home game in Augsburg on Sunday against Greece. Serbia will visit four days later before Germany complete their opening sequence of fixtures away to Greece in Thessaloniki the following Sunday.

Klopp’s record at Mainz, Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool has given him an authority enjoyed by no other recent Germany coach. Although several high-profile managers have held the position, few have had such freedom to challenge established methods.

His first squad underlined that intention. Klopp selected 44 players, including 16 without a cap, and plans to divide them into two match-day groups. He also left out fan favourite Deniz Undav.

One of the new call-ups is Freiburg right-back Philipp Treu. The 25-year-old had not previously been considered for Germany and has never worked with Klopp, but said the coach had an exceptional ability to inspire players.

“You feel like you’d walk through fire for him,” Treu said on Tuesday, describing Klopp as “an incredible guy”.

Eintracht Frankfurt forward Younes Ebnoutalib was also selected after attracting interest from Morocco, the African champions and 2022 World Cup semi-finalists. The Frankfurt-born striker explained why he chose Germany.

“When Klopp calls, you have to go. He’s one of the best coaches in the world and he brings a really positive energy,” he said.

Germany have reached the semi-finals regularly at major tournaments for more than a decade, but have won only one knockout match at a World Cup or European Championship since 2016.

Klopp’s task is therefore substantial, although he has previously rebuilt struggling major clubs. Dortmund had only just avoided bankruptcy when he arrived, yet within five years they had won two league titles and reached a Champions League final.

At Liverpool, he took over a team that had qualified for the Champions League only once in the previous five seasons, guided them to three finals and won one. He also restored the league title to Anfield for the first time in the Premier League era.

Seeking to unite a divided media landscape and former players who have frequently criticised the German Football Association (DFB), Klopp gave sponsors’ hats in Germany’s colours to his squad bearing the words “one of 83 million”.

He has also contacted DFB All-Stars, former players with at least one cap, asking them to support the team and saying: “we are all the national team”.

Former Germany player and influential commentator Lothar Matthaus appeared persuaded by Klopp’s appeal. Writing in his Sky Germany column, the former Ballon d’Or winner said: “everything will be better” with Klopp in charge, adding that trust was important after that had not always been the case in recent years.