After more than a decade of disappointing performances in the international arena, German football needs a comprehensive change in culture and spirit. For many people, no one is more suitable to lead that process than Jurgen Klopp.
Midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, who worked with Klopp for 4 years at Borussia Dortmund, believes that the 59-year-old strategist is the ideal choice to bring the German team back to its original position.
I understand him very well. If the German team needs a new coach at this time, Klopp is the most suitable person. He has the ability to connect the whole country and arouse the passion for football among fans. After the heavy defeat against Paraguay, we really need that" - Gundogan shared.
Despite possessing many young talents such as Florian Wirtz or Jamal Musiala, the German team is no longer considered a "golden generation". This means Klopp will face many challenges if he wants to conquer EURO 2028 or the 2030 World Cup.
However, the ability to build a team and inspire is always Klopp's greatest strength. Many people see that the current situation of the German team is quite similar to Liverpool when he took over the team in 2015.
However, after 2 years away from the coaching bench, Klopp will also have to adapt to the new role. Recently, he publicly criticized information that US President Donald Trump had contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino to propose canceling the red card of striker Folarin Balogun at the 2026 World Cup.
If that's true, then it's crazy. This is football, not the business of people who don't understand this sport" - Klopp said on MagentaTV.
Becoming the head coach of the German national team means Klopp will have to be more cautious in his statements. All actions, statements or private images of his will be subject to much closer supervision.
In addition, Klopp also needs time to regain sympathy from a part of German fans after taking on the role at Red Bull in 2024. At that time, this decision faced much criticism from Mainz fans, Borussia Dortmund as well as the German media.
However, many experts believe that emotional intelligence and the ability to connect people will help Klopp overcome those barriers. Klopp will make his official debut with the German national team in September, when they launch the UEFA Nations League campaign with a confrontation with the Netherlands.
This is an extremely difficult task. The first thing Klopp needs to do is to restore solidarity and make the whole country believe again in the national team" - Gundogan admitted.
That is certainly not an easy challenge. But after once changing the fate of Mainz, Dortmund and Liverpool, Klopp has every reason to believe that he can create another success story with the German national team.
