Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has been previewing Germany's chances in their World Cup opener against Curacao
Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann has responded to comments made by Jurgen Klopp, with the former Liverpool manager also being criticised by a fellow pundit. Klopp is working as a pundit for this summer’s World Cup, which is being hosted in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The 58-year-old left his role as Liverpool boss in 2024 and has since taken on the role as head of global football for Red Bull, but has been frequently linked with a return to management.
Klopp is working for German broadcaster Magenta TV, and Germany’s World Cup opener against Curacao on Sunday night in Houston, when the topic of Nagelsmann’s future came up.
The former Liverpool manager is quoted as having said: "Luckily, Julian Nagelsmann is still picking the team – for now."
OPINION
These quotes were put to Nagelsmann himself during a recent press conference, where a Sport Bild reporter pressed the Germany boss for his response.
"I'm surprised that the request is coming from you,” Nagelsmann said. The Germany boss then asked the reporter what they thought of Klopp’s remarks, with the Sport Bild journalist saying: “A little prickly."
Finishing the discussion, Nagelsmann then replied: "Good. Then. Next question."
Klopp, who was joined by Bayern Munich legend Thomas Muller, also recently spoke about Germany’s team selection for the World Cup opener against Curacao, where he explained why Stuttgart star Deniz Undav should start ahead of Bayern playmaker Jamal Musiala.
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“We've brought Undav into the game because he can play in the number 10 role,” Klopp recently said on Magenta TV.
This has led to criticism from German football legend Lothar Matthaus, who took issue with Klopp’s remarks about the country’s potential team selection.
“I was very surprised when I saw that Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Muller advised playing Deniz Undav instead of Jamal Musiala in the opening match,” Matthaus told Sport Bild.
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“I accept their opinion, but I don't want to let it stand. I feel that lacks sensitivity. Jurgen Klopp, of all people, should know better.
“To have a successful World Cup, Germany needs the quality of a Musiala. That's why he needs to be given trust and playing time.”
Matthaus added: “Klopp's comments aren't exactly making Nagelsmann's job any easier. I'd like to see what Klopp would have said if an expert had advised him to bench one of his regular starters before an important Champions League match.
“Such interference isn't well received, especially among fellow coaches."
