During the first international break under Jürgen Klopp, Lennart Karl was among the many Bayern pros called up to the DFB squad. Originally, however, the national team coach had very different plans for the 18-year-old. It wasn’t until a call from Munich that a last-minute change was made.
Karl was actually scheduled for the first part of the training camp and thus for the matches against the Netherlands and Greece. At that time, however, the attacking player was still working on his comeback following an injury. The FC Bayern medical staff therefore stepped in.
“Lennart Karl was scheduled for the first week. Then the medical staff at Bayern Munich called me and said they’d prefer to keep him in individual training a little longer,” Klopp revealed.
The national team coach complied with Munich’s request. Karl initially remained at Säbener Straße, continued his individual training there, and didn’t join the second DFB squad until later.
Klopp maintains close communication with Bayern
This incident demonstrates just how close the relationship already is between the new national team coach and Germany’s most successful club. Klopp did not insist on his original plan but took the assessment of Bayern’s officials into account.
It had already become clear shortly after Klopp took office that communication between the two sides is a top priority. The 59-year-old personally visited Säbener Straße and exchanged views with the club’s officials.
Klopp’s many years of experience as a club coach are likely to help him in this regard. He understands the clubs’ perspective and knows how sensitive it can be to handle injured players or those just returning to action during an international break.
However, that doesn’t mean the national team coach will grant every request from Munich in the future. Klopp must, first and foremost, represent the interests of the national team. His interactions with Karl, however, show that the DFB and Bayern are currently prioritizing close and direct communication.
Medical ties between the DFB and Bayern help
The integration in the medical field also plays an important role here. Dr. Jochen Hahne currently works as the team doctor for both FC Bayern and the German national team. His mentor is Dr. Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt, Bayern’s long-time team doctor.
This connection can be particularly advantageous when it comes to managing training loads and the return of injured players. In Karl’s case, this led to a solution that both Bayern and the DFB could accept.
The young player was given extra time in Munich for individual training and still got his chance with the national team afterward. Karl even started in the 0–0 draw against Greece.
For Bayern, Klopp’s approach to their players so far is likely a positive sign. The Karl case shows that the club and the federation are coordinating closely—and the new national team coach is certainly willing to take the Munich club’s needs into account in his planning.