Klopp describes Lijnders as an "exceptional coach who is also incredibly keen on the task."
"Jürgen Klopp has no career after the national team"
"I have assembled the best 'possible' coaching staff for myself," emphasizes the new DFB coach. He will put everything he has into it. After all, the DFB job is "ideally the pinnacle of my career."
For him, it's purely about the matter itself. "Jürgen Klopp has no career after the national team," he states firmly.
Wenn ihr euch daneben benehmt und meine Familie nicht in Ruhe lasst, bin ich weg.
In the past two years, when Klopp worked at Red Bull, he was frequently in the public eye and the media. However, the German spoke very little with the media.
That will change in the future. Probably for this reason, Klopp speaks (critically) about media reporting: "I'm taking the job, even though I've seen how you (the media, ed. note) treat Julian. Even though I see how England treats Tuchel. You don't have to praise me too much when something works – that should be a given."
He would also be prepared to draw a line under it himself: "The day you no longer want this, you say so, and I'm gone – without severance. If the DFB says we're not continuing like this, I'm gone. If you misbehave and don't leave my family in peace, I'm gone."
Among other things, there were reports about the girlfriend of predecessor Julian Nagelsmann, with whom Klopp, by the way, has not been in contact since the World Cup.
What Bayern Need Not Fear
Regarding the DFB's sporting future, Klopp leaves some things open. In any case, with Klopp, Sven Bender, and Joachim Watzke, three ex-Dortmund figures now hold key roles at the DFB.
However, the national coach pre-empts with a smile: "Bayern don't need to worry that just because we're here now, we'll only invite Dortmund players. Which would also be funny. Or just because I once worked at Red Bull, I'll only pick Leipzig players – phew."
In recent weeks, Klopp has at least familiarized himself with his potential player pool. "I've made a list of names that interest me, where I'd like to know more. And I've watched 57 outfield players," he recounts.
Five-man defense not an issue, surprises announced
To begin with, his door will be open to all potential national team players. Klopp speaks of a fresh start. "Everyone who is eligible to play for the German national team should really make an effort now. Because I will be watching. Nobody will be written off."
Even players "who might not even be expecting it now" will get a chance.
How will it look on the pitch? "'Gegenpressing is an important topic,' reveals Klopp, who wants to make his footballing philosophy recognizable and clarifies that he will rely on a back four."
He also states firmly: "We will not play man-marking, even if the best team in Germany plays man-marking. But that also exists in other nations."
Haben wir Spieler wie Dembélé, Mbappé, Doué oder Barcola? Nein. Aber schlagen können wir sie trotzdem.
Germany needs a realistic expectation, Klopp emphasizes: "Success is performance in relation to expectations."
If asked whether the DFB team would be as good as France, "and the answer is 'no,' then that's not right. The question should be: Do we have players like Dembélé, Mbappé, Doué, or Barcola? No, but we can still beat them."
Nevertheless, Klopp has one primary goal: "From today, we must do everything for it. Not to become world champions. But to play in such a way that we can become world champions."
Because sporting success – which is maximally achieved with a World Cup title – also influences society, according to the national coach. "If I imagine Germany becoming world champions in four years. The next day, the neighbor wouldn't be as much of a jerk as we might currently think he is. Or the weather wouldn't be so bad, or Friedrich Merz wouldn't do everything wrong."
Change of Sides: Formerly a Big Critic, Now a Supporter
Club coach Klopp, who actually existed until late 2024, is now history, at the latest with his appointment at the DFB. This also entails a change in some views he previously held.
"I was on the other side: international matches used to bother me. Now I want to make them an absolute highlight." On the other hand, he also wants to respect the wishes of club coaches. "If someone says they can't, then they shouldn't – and I won't fight them on that."
