- Jürgen Klopp apologizes to national coach Julian Nagelsmann for an unsuccessful comment as a TV expert.
- At the opening game of the World Cup, Klopp said “still” when he said that Nagelsmann was putting the team together “luckily”.
- “I’ll be 59 the day after tomorrow and I’m still stupid,” said Klopp. The two then high-five each other.
After the safe opening success at the World Cup, Jürgen Klopp apologized to national coach Julian Nagelsmann for his statement as a TV expert. “I could have kicked myself for that, but it was too late and I was on TV.” “That slipped out in a hurry,” said Klopp after the 7:1 against Curaçao on Magenta TV.
The former world-class coach caused a stir together with Thomas Müller at the opening game of the World Cup. When it came to the German line-up against Curaçao, Klopp said: “Luckily Julian Nagelsmann is putting the team together” – and then added “yet”. This is now his “bad word of the year,” said Klopp.
“I’m still stupid”
“That has no relevance at all.” “I hope everyone out there understands that,” said Klopp to Nagelsmann, who listened to him and smiled. “What I discovered is that I’ll be 59 the day after tomorrow and I’m still stupid. But it just happened.” The two experts are on Nagelsmann’s side, emphasized Klopp. The two then high-fived each other and Nagelsmann left the interview situation.
“Of course we discuss passionately”
The national coach had already demonstrated composure before kick-off. “In the end, my job now is to set up the team so that we play a good tournament. And we will then be able to continue playing good games after the World Cup,” Nagelsmann explained on ARD.
Müller had also already responded to the criticism of the statements and announced that he would not hold back in the future. “Of course we discuss passionately, it’s about getting the enthusiasm across,” said the ex-national player.
He and Klopp are “huge fans of the team” and the tournament. We discuss “tactically, substantively and, above all, objectively”. However, with them there is “always a bit of insult,” said Müller. But we will “not allow ourselves to be distorted and will pay attention to what we say,” said Müller. The aim is to support the team and “also put them in a good mood”.
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Soccer World Cup 2026 in the USA, Canada and Mexico – all information
48 teams, three host countries and lots of stories. Here you will find the most important content about the 2026 World Cup. The tournament will take place from June 11th to July 19th in the USA, Canada and Mexico. Switzerland plays in Group B against Qatar, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Canada.
Nils Hänggi (nih) has been at 20 minutes since 2019. He is a sports editor and part of the Social Responsibility Board. He often writes about football.
