Outstanding TV rating on Sunday: Klopp debut reaches 11.38 million

Outstanding TV rating So: Jürgen Klopp celebrated his debut as national team coach in front of about 10.69 million German football fans, with a peak of 11.38 million and a market share of 46.9 percent, when the DFB‑Eleven played 1‑1 against the Netherlands in Amsterdam. After the match, the 59‑year‑old coach said that it had “mostly felt good” and that there was a long list of positive aspects.

Record-breaking viewership for RTL

The RTL broadcast averaged 10.69 million viewers and peaked at 11.38 million, marking the by far highest reach of the year for the channel. The market share of 46.9 percent underscores the huge interest in the first appearance of the new national coach. By comparison, the debut of Julian Nagelsmann in October 2023, when Germany beat the USA 3‑1, attracted fewer than eight million viewers.

The footage comes from Lars Baron/Getty Images and illustrates the media attention that accompanied the event.

Next, the DFB‑Eleven's away match against Greece next Sunday will also be broadcast live by RTL, while the home games against Greece and Serbia will be shown by ARD and ZDF. The broadcasters are already expecting high ratings again thanks to the fresh impetus from the new coach.

The equaliser came in the 92nd minute from Cody Gakpo, set up by Ruben van Bommel, son of former Dutch star Mark van Bommel and grandson of former national coach Bert van Marwijk. In the last minute of stoppage time, Mexx Meerdink of AZ Alkmaar missed the chance to secure the win for the Dutch.

Stegen's wavering performance – German side ratings after 1-1 in Amsterdam

Stoppage‑time drama and historic comparisons

The late conceding phase has been a recurring problem for the German national team since 2010, as Transfermarkt.de and .de document. In addition to today's 1‑1 against the Netherlands, the portal recalled the 4‑4 draw with Sweden in Berlin on 16 October 2012, when Germany lost a 4‑0 lead under Joachim Löw.

Lothar Matthäus, once a critical observer, praised after the match: “Klopp has brought a fighting spirit into the squad, and they responded well.” Sport emphasized the increased determination compared to the summer‑World Cup debacle, while Welt noted that Klopp had already solved the biggest problem of the last tournament.

The returning national goalkeeper Marc‑André ter Stegen, back in the squad after 473 days, completed only nine of 16 passes in the first half, but in the second half made several crucial saves that stabilised the result.

Adidas ends 72-year tie as Klopp unveils final Germany shirt

With the upcoming match against Greece abroad, which will be broadcast again by RTL, the channel expects similarly high viewership, as enthusiasm for the new national coach continues to rise.