Klopp must invest time and patience to get Germany's team on track
The first internationals under Jürgen Klopp as national team coach are finished; while there were great hopes for a quick improvement beforehand, the result showed a palpable disappointment, because the new hope coach cannot conjure a world‑class team out of thin air. Photo: Marvin Ibo Guengoer.
Klopp will still have to demonstrate plenty of work, time and patience, but also courage, to get the DFB selection back on track and make it fit for the 2028 European Championship. The first internationals show that the new hope coach still has a lot to prove.
In the matches against the Netherlands, Serbia and twice Greece, there was especially a lack of creativity, directness, determination and occasionally a little brute‑force shot, particularly in the game against the low‑ranked Greece. These deficits made the previously expressed hope for a quick improvement fade.
Insight into the XXL selection
At the first major recruitment meeting, Klopp relied on an XXL squad to get a rough overview of who fits his vision. The result makes clear that the door for non‑nominated players is not yet closed.
Three players – Tom Bischof, Aleksandar Pavlovic and Leon Goretzka – can apply for a place in the team up to the next international window in November, thereby covering various weak spots. Bischof and Pavlovic, both Bayern talents, have already shown convincing performances.
Midfield in transition
In the central midfield the second block appeared much more harmonious and functioned better than the first. Tom Bischof and Aleksandar Pavlovic impressed over long stretches far more than Felix Nmecha and Joshua Kimmich.
While Felix Nmecha and especially Joshua Kimmich raised a lot of criticism and numerous question marks, even captain Kimmich has not secured a regular starting spot. The cards in the German midfield are apparently being completely reshuffled.
Leon Goretzka, former FC Bayern star, missed the nomination due to a minor injury, but even without the injury it would have been difficult for him to be called up to the XXL roster. His possible return therefore remains uncertain.