Mbappé shows great respect for Coach Klopp ahead of his debut

Before his debut as national team coach, Kylian Mbappé shows great respect for Coach Jürgen Klopp. The French national striker emphasizes that he can understand the euphoria surrounding the new German coach, even though the two have never worked together. He recalls the almost‑realised project that, however, was never implemented.

Jürgen Klopp and Kylian Mbappé almost worked together, but the project fell through. The coach is more than twice as old as the 27‑year‑old striker, which further amplifies the Frenchman's respect.

Respect despite missed collaboration

"Absolutely justified. Klopp is one of the best coaches of the last 20 years," said the forward, who trains at Real Madrid under the Portuguese star‑coach José Mourinho. Mbappé emphasizes that both Mourinho and Klopp are coaches under which every professional would like to play.

Tresoldi thanks Klopp but delays the choice between Germany and Italy

"Mourinho, Klopp, they are coaches that every professional would like to play for. It's simply wonderful to see him back on the bench. I am very much looking forward to the next match against him," added Mbappé. Regardless of Germany's weak tournament performances, he stresses his high respect for the DFB eleven.

"My respect for Germany has always been very high, regardless of the coach. Germany still has one of the best teams in the world," said the 27‑year‑old. "Of course the team hasn't been in its best phase recently, but that can always happen. Germany has become world champion four times, double the number of France."

Mbappé confirmed that Klopp would have liked to bring him to Liverpool back then. "I would have loved to move to him at that time," he explained, but added that at the start of his professional career he was not yet ready to leave his home country. He wanted to return to Paris, had only played one year for Monaco and therefore chose PSG.