Sammer criticizes Klopp's Bayern curiosity – risk for national coach
Matthias Sammer, European champion of 1996 and former national player, criticized Jürgen Klopp, the German national coach, for his recent comments on FC Bayern's tactics after the Champions League match Bayern‑Arsenal (2:2). The BVB advisor voiced his concerns on the programme “Sammer & Basile – the Hagedorn Talk” and called for more restraint.
In the talk show Sammer explained that Klopp's curiosity about Bayern's tactics is “unnecessary”, because it creates discussions that are not needed right now. “He must learn quickly,” he added. Sammer emphasized that Klopp underestimates the impact of his words in the new role. From Sammer's perspective, the debate about Bayern's tactics is currently out of place.
Despite the criticism, Sammer still described Klopp as a “great coach” and “always a great club coach”. He pointed out that Klopp, now as national coach, is being scrutinized even more closely. Sammer is convinced that Klopp will grasp this quickly.
Sammer calls for a more restrained coach
The 1996 European champion expressed the wish that the national coach act more restrained in the future. For the future of German football, it is counterproductive if two great coaches give the impression that the other does not understand him. Such tensions are not good, Sammer emphasized.
Harry Kane breaks Ballon d'Or record at 33 with Bayern München
Klopp reacts to Bayern analysis
The 59‑year‑old Klopp watched the Champions League duel Bayern‑Arsenal up close and expressed curiosity about FC Bayern's defensive work. At the same time he commented on the running behaviour of Ballon d’Or winner Harry Kane and asked whether he is just as effective “against the ball”. Klopp stressed that he is not the pope of football and lets everyone have their freedom.
Bayern coach Vincent Kompany did not comment on Klopp's statements. Sammer added that for the content and importance of the future of German football it is counterproductive if two great coaches give the impression that one does not understand the other. He trusts that Jürgen himself can assess what will be important in the future.
The contrast between Sammer's call for restraint and Klopp's open learning attitude shows that the national coach's words can have far‑reaching consequences. Both seem confident that a better understanding will calm the discussions in German football in the future.