This Saturday marks the official start of Jürgen Klopp’s new role as head coach of the German national team. However, the 59-year-old is unlikely to spend much time at his desk. FC Bayern expects Klopp to be in the stands in person for the team’s first competitive matches.
Following the German national team’s disappointing performance at the World Cup, Jürgen Klopp has taken over from Julian Nagelsmann. Now, the former Liverpool coach is getting down to business as he prepares his first squad selection.
Klopp is not yet expected to attend Saturday’s Telekom Cup match between FC Bayern and RB Leipzig. However, sporting director Max Eberl is confident that this will change just one week later.
“I’m very sure he’ll be at the Super Cup, and I’m very sure he’ll be at the first game against VfB Stuttgart,” Eberl explained.
Klopp is taking a close look at the Bayern stars
For the new national team coach, these two matches offer an ideal opportunity to observe numerous German national team players up close.
On August 22, FC Bayern will face Borussia Dortmund on the road in the Franz Beckenbauer Super Cup. Just six days later, the record German champions will host VfB Stuttgart at the Allianz Arena for the Bundesliga opener.
Especially in the match against BVB, Klopp should be able to observe a whole host of potential national team players right away.
“I think these are the games where his work really begins,” Eberl emphasized. First, however, Klopp will need to get up to speed with the DFB: “He’ll probably have to coordinate a few things at the headquarters in Frankfurt first.”
First international break is approaching
Klopp doesn’t have much time to take stock of the situation. Just about a month after officially taking office, the first international break under his leadership is already on the horizon.
Between September 24 and October 4, four Nations League matches await the German national team. They’ll kick things off with an away game against the Netherlands, followed by matches against Greece and Serbia.
By then, Klopp will need to get a clear picture of which players he wants to rely on as he gets the team back on track. Bayern Munich’s first competitive matches are likely to be among his most important opportunities to assess the squad.