LONDON: Former Germany players have criticized Jurgen Klopp for comments he made about national coach Julian Nagelsmann while working as a pundit covering the 2026 World Cup. The former Liverpool manager has been employed as a TV pundit alongside ex-Germany and Bayern Munich midfielder Thomas Mueller for the tournament.
Klopp's critical remarks
Before Germany's opening match against Curacao, Klopp questioned Nagelsmann's starting lineup. The 59-year-old said he would have chosen a different XI and added, "luckily, Julian Nagelsmann is still picking the team — for now." Klopp stepped down from club management in 2024 but has been linked to the German national team job.
Former players react
Germany's record appearance holder Lothar Matthaeus, with 150 caps, said "Jurgen should know better." He added, "His comments aren't going to make Nagelsmann's job any easier. I'd like to see what he would have said if, before an important Champions League match, a pundit had advised him to leave one of his key players on the bench."
Stefan Effenberg, a Champions League winner with 35 caps for Germany, called the comments "unacceptable." He said, "You can make a remark like that over a beer at the bar, but certainly not in front of millions of television viewers. It's a definite 'no go'."
Klopp apologizes
Klopp has since apologized. "I could have slapped myself across the face for saying that," he said. "It just slipped out casually — it has absolutely no significance."
Nagelsmann unfazed
Nagelsmann refused to engage in the discussion, telling reporters in his pre-match press conference: "Germany has plenty of experts — Thomas and Jurgen are good lads. They've had a lot of success in the football world. They can talk about whatever they want. That's just how it is."
