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Jurgen Klopp has declared that the German national football team must play an active role in ensuring national identity is not hijacked by extremist elements, using his first press conference as Germany manager to advocate for unity and what he described as "positive patriotism."
The former Liverpool manager’s statements came in the wake of substantial political shifts in Germany, where the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) party secured 43.8% of the vote in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt. That result left the far-right group just short of holding an absolute majority within the regional parliament, marking a major milestone in post-war German politics.
Tensions remain high across the political landscape as the AfD prepares for further upcoming regional elections in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, where the party is projecting strong outcomes. No far-right political party has governed a German state since the end of World War Two, when the Nazi regime ruled the country and carried out the Holocaust.
While unveiling his first squad selection, Klopp made a point of noting that he is not a political analyst, yet he directly addressed the atmosphere surrounding the recent vote. He acknowledged the polarized reactions across the nation, pointing out that while some citizens viewed the outcome as acceptable, many others reacted with profound concern and disbelief.
Approaching the issue through the lens of a sports figure, Klopp emphasized that he wants to reclaim the national flag on behalf of all German citizens. He explained that waving the flag should not evoke suspicion or confusion, but rather serve as a joyful celebration of living in, growing up in, or moving to what he characterized as a wonderful country.
Klopp highlighted that he wants to prevent national pride from being placed in the hands of the wrong people. To prevent his intentions from being misinterpreted, the manager stated that he prefers to speak of "positive patriotism" rather than traditional national pride, emphasizing that one can take pride in being German while simultaneously remaining friendly, kind, open-minded, and welcoming of diversity.
The national coach also put football’s role into perspective, noting that having adequate numbers of healthcare workers and caregivers remains far more vital to the country's wellbeing. Nonetheless, he asserted that football retains a unique capacity to cultivate community spirit and help people experience the positive social power that sport can offer.
On the pitch, Klopp launched his managerial tenure with an unconventional and expansive 44-man roster designed to handle four Nations League matches scheduled across a two-week stretch. The extensive squad features 16 players who have yet to earn a senior international cap for Germany.
To manage player workloads across the compressed schedule, Klopp divided the roster into two distinct groups. An initial 24-player squad has been designated for the upcoming fixtures against the Netherlands in Amsterdam on 24 September and against Greece on home soil in Augsburg on 27 September.
Following the conclusion of those opening two matches, most of the players from the first group will be released back to their respective clubs. A second group of 20 players will then take over the campaign, assembling for a home match against Serbia in Munich on 1 October followed by an away fixture against Greece in Thessaloniki on 4 October.
The first group includes a trio of Premier League players: Arsenal forward Kai Havertz, Brentford winger Kevin Schade, and Leeds midfielder Anton Stach. Bayern Munich midfielder Jamal Musiala has also been included in this initial pool, earning his place after suffering two collapses during pre-season fixtures with his club.
The second squad list features Brentford midfielder Vitaly Janelt, who has earned his first senior call-up for Germany. That group also contains Newcastle defender Malick Thiaw and Liverpool attacker Florian Wirtz, who will feature during the latter two October fixtures.
Klopp stepped into the national team post following a stint as the global head of soccer for Red Bull, having previously overseen Liverpool from 2015 until 2024. He was selected to succeed Julian Nagelsmann, who exited his role after Germany suffered a disappointing second-round elimination against Paraguay at the summer World Cup.
That early World Cup exit accelerated a transition period for the national setup, prompting the international retirements of experienced veterans Manuel Neuer and Antonio Rudiger. With a revamped roster and a clear civic message, Klopp's reign begins with an ambition to redefine both the team's tactical path and its cultural connection with the German public.
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