Klopp as Germany head coach: 'I won't leave national pride in the wrong hands'

Jürgen Klopp is already working as Germany's head coach and doing so with the same direct style that made him famous on the touchline. The coach presented his first squad this Thursday, naming 44 players for the opening four matches of the Nations League, and used the press conference to distance himself from the far right. His words came just after AfD's strong surge in the regional elections in Saxony-Anhalt, where the party took 43.8% of the vote and came close to an absolute majority.

• Klopp named an initial squad of 44 players for his first four matches in charge of Germany.
• The new head coach spoke out against the rise of the far right after AfD's 43.8% in Saxony-Anhalt.
• He backed a form of positive patriotism and said he can be proud to be German while keeping the country open and diverse.
• He highlighted recent German sporting success, from Alexander Zverev to the field hockey world champions.

Klopp's first Germany squad for the Nations League

The coach takes over after Germany's elimination in the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup, the team's third consecutive disappointing campaign after those in 2018 and 2022. His first move has been to put together a large squad of 44 players for his opening four matches in the Nations League, an unusual number that allows him to get a closer look at several footballers and begin building a group identity from day one.

Such a wide selection is designed to help him get to know the international players in depth and to send a message of openness to everyone who wants to be part of the project. Klopp is looking to create a competitive atmosphere and to refresh a dressing room still bruised by recent tournament setbacks.

Klopp's message against the far right after the AfD surge

At the press conference, the German coach did not avoid the country's political context. "We had an election where some people said it was fine, and others said: 'My God, what is happening here?'", he said, referring directly to the Saxony-Anhalt vote and the steady growth of the far right in several regions.

I don't want to leave national pride in the hands of the wrong people.

Klopp admitted he is not a political expert, but he stood up for his role as a public and sporting figure: "From my point of view as a sportsman, I can say that I would like to win the flag back for me, for us." It is a message aimed at reclaiming a sense of belonging away from exclusionary narratives.

Positive patriotism: feeling German without giving up diversity

The coach went further when explaining how he understands the pride of representing his country. "Actually, I think we are a great country," he said, adding that it is possible to speak about positive patriotism, an expression he uses to separate the love for one's country from any temptation to close borders or exclude those who think differently.

Along those lines, Klopp said: "I can be proud to be German while remaining open and diverse, as well as friendly and kind." He wants the national team to reflect a plural Germany rather than become a symbol for identity-driven narratives that, in his view, try to take over the flag and the national feeling.

Football as a community builder and Germany's sporting success stories

Klopp believes football has a responsibility that goes beyond results. "It is more important that we have doctors. It is more important that we have nursing staff. It is more important that we have lots of people in many professions," he stressed, before pointing to the social role the national team can play in "fostering a sense of community, so that the power of sport is really felt."

The coach cited Germany's recent sporting successes as a reference: Alexander Zverev, winner of the French Open in June and the US Open on Sunday; the field hockey world champions; the women's basketball World Cup winners; and the strong results at the European Athletics Championships. In his view, all of them represent a legitimate reason for shared pride.

"One of 83 million": Klopp's first appearance as Germany boss

The new head coach appeared with a cap in the colors of the German flag and the words "One of 83 million", a gesture full of symbolism. With that message, Klopp presents himself as just another citizen in a country of 83 million people, far from the messianic figure that is sometimes built around national team coaches.

His approach is clear: to restore excitement around the national team through football, closeness and an inclusive message. The challenge starts immediately, with four Nations League matches ahead in which Klopp will chase his first results in a new era that aims to return Germany to the top and, along the way, reconnect supporters with their national side.