German Premier League star ends DFB career before Klopp era

In the British stadium of Brighton, where Pascal Groß last Saturday defeated the reigning English champions Arsenal with a convincing 3-0, the 35-year-old midfielder announced that after 19 international caps he is leaving the German national team, ending a chapter he no longer wishes to continue despite strong club performances.

Ahead of the upcoming international break, there is great tension and cautious euphoria in German football that under the new national coach Jürgen Klopp there will be the hoped-for overhaul and a rebuilding of the DFB selection. However, an old hand from the DFB squad will no longer be part of the picture in the future – despite strong performances at club level.

Quiet farewell before the break

Groß shared his decision in an interview with Sky and said: “I have already retired. For me, that was it after the World Cup.” He added that he wishes only the best for the new generation. The photo by Ezra Shaw shows the moment when Groß celebrated after the 1-0 goal.

Premier League form and DFB statistics

Since his return to Brighton & Hove Albion in January of this year, the defensive midfielder has already scored three goals and provided four assists in five Premier League matches. He also scored in the Carabao Cup. These offensive contributions contrast with his international record.

In the DFB team, Groß managed only one goal, the 2-1 winning goal against Greece in June 2024. In total he earned 19 caps, of which he played the full 90 minutes in four matches. He made his debut on 9 September 2023 at the age of 32 under Hansi Flick against Japan.

In the Bundesliga, Groß made 111 appearances for FC Ingolstadt, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and Borussia Dortmund and was directly involved in 29 goals. This makes him one of the most experienced German midfielders who are now ending their international careers.

New direction under Jürgen Klopp

With Groß's withdrawal, Jürgen Klopp has the opportunity to bring younger talents into focus and actively shape the restart of the German national team. The new coach emphasizes that fresh impulses are needed to become competitive again after the World Cup disappointment.

The departure of the Premier League star marks a symbolic crossroads between the past era and the upcoming overhaul. For the German football community, this means that space is being created for the next generation, which under Klopp’s leadership is expected to redefine the team.