Klopp starts as Germany coach, admits press conference error and denies El Mala transfer rumor

First day at the DFB

Jürgen Klopp officially began his role as Germany's national team coach on Saturday, 15 August 2026, succeeding Julian Nagelsmann. The 59-year-old had already visited the DFB campus in Frankfurt/Main in the preceding days, holding intensive discussions with youth-team coaches. In an interview with DFB.TV, Klopp described a positive first impression, saying the staff had received him warmly and that the environment did not feel unfamiliar. He outlined two priorities for his tenure: the senior national team first, and everything else second. He stressed that success would depend on the players' fitness and condition when they arrive, and that he and his staff would need time but would not lack for motivation.

Klopp also admitted a mistake from his introductory press conference on 24 July, where his choice of words had been widely discussed. At that event he had told journalists he would leave without severance if the public no longer wanted him, and warned he would walk away if the media did not leave his family alone. He reiterated that he had "really great desire" for the job but would not impose himself if the majority of people felt he should step aside.

Rejecting the El Mala rumor

Klopp used his first day to firmly reject speculation that he had encouraged 19-year-old Cologne talent Said El Mala to join Borussia Dortmund. The rumor had circulated on social media and in some media outlets, with BVB known to be interested in the player but unable to agree a transfer fee with 1. FC Köln.

“It actually insulted me a little that people think my first official act would be: I call a player and say: 'By the way, BVB, that would suit you well.' I didn't do that, of course.”

He added that advising players on transfers was not his role and that he had not even begun working with the squad. Klopp said he would only give a player advice if asked directly after a long working relationship, and that such counsel would not be colored by his past employment at any club.

No player contact yet, adjusting to new role

Klopp confirmed he has had no contact with national-team players, who remain in pre-season training with their clubs. He plans to visit Bundesliga clubs and speak with players on site, and intends to attend the Supercup between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund the following week as well as early Bundesliga matches. He has already scheduled meetings with several Bundesliga coaches.

The new coach described the adjustment from club to national team work as significant, noting that as a club coach he worked with players daily, whereas the international calendar demands a different rhythm. He also addressed the youth setup, telling U-team coaches that they collectively train the German national team across different age groups. Klopp pushed back against the notion that a disappointing World Cup required a complete reset at the DFB.

“You might think, when a World Cup hasn't gone well: now you have to wipe everything clean and start from zero. But that's completely unnecessary. Everyone is here at the DFB because they have quality, not because they couldn't find anything else.”

Upcoming fixtures

Klopp's competitive debut comes on 24 September in Amsterdam against the Netherlands in the Nations League. Further fixtures follow against Greece on 27 September and 4 October, and Serbia on 1 October. Klopp coached Borussia Dortmund from 2008 to 2015, winning two league titles and one cup, before moving to Liverpool.