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Klopp earns praise for naming split squad for Germany
21st September, 2026 01:27 PM
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Germany coach Jürgen Klopp’s decision to name two different squads totalling 44 players for his first four international matches in charge has earned widespread praise as he begins his bid to restore the team’s reputation as a football powerhouse.
As the squad gathers on Monday at their base in Herzogenaurach, the former Liverpool manager, who took over in July following Germany’s shock 2026 World Cup exit, is already planning how to maximise two sets of 22 players for the upcoming Nations League matches as he rebuilds the national team ahead of Euro 2028.
Germany, four-time world champions, have suffered early eliminations in the last three World Cups and have experienced no major international success since lifting the trophy in 2014.
“I find that this is just an outstanding idea, that he invited 44 players,” said Germany’s 1990 World Cup-winning captain, Lothar Matthäus. “Not only the nominations, but also the idea of the two squads.”
“With four matches in nine or 10 days, it just makes sense to have two squads, with the leagues and European competitions already under way. It is just superb,” he added.
Benefits
Germany’s lineups for their opening Nations League match against the Netherlands in Amsterdam on Thursday and against Greece in Augsburg on Sunday will include Jamal Musiala and captain Joshua Kimmich, though they will not feature in the alternate fixtures against Serbia and Greece.
While Klopp hopes to collect valuable data, players will also benefit from a shorter absence from their clubs and a reduced international match schedule while the domestic season is under way.
“An interesting idea from him to have two different teams for four matches,” said German Football Association Vice President Hans-Joachim Watzke. “You have to first get the idea to do that. I like it.”
“I know he has thought about it for a long time. I have a totally good feeling about the appointment of Jürgen,” Watzke added. “You shouldn’t be fixated on Euro 2028 from September. There is still some time to experiment, and if not now, then when?”
Klopp, one of Germany’s most prominent public figures, caused a stir during his squad unveiling on Thursday when he stated that he wanted to reclaim expressions of national pride from the “wrong people,” in remarks widely seen as a rebuke to the far right.
