Klopp urges Germany to lift itself as era opens against Netherlands
The short version
- Klopp's first match as Germany coach is against the Netherlands in Amsterdam on Thursday.
- Germany were eliminated at the last-32 stage of the World Cup by Paraguay, ending Julian Nagelsmann's tenure.
- Marc-Andre ter Stegen returns and will start in goal.
- Xavi coaches the Netherlands for the first time against his former Barcelona teammate ter Stegen.
New Germany coach Jurgen Klopp wants a collective effort in Amsterdam on Thursday in his first match since replacing Julian Nagelsmann.
Jurgen Klopp takes charge of Germany for the first time on Thursday when his side face the Netherlands in Amsterdam. The new head coach used his opening press conference to call for a collective effort, saying the team could produce performances beyond the sum of its parts.
Germany arrive still stinging from a third consecutive early World Cup exit, eliminated at the last-32 stage by Paraguay. That match proved to be Julian Nagelsmann's final game in charge, and Klopp was appointed as his successor during the summer.
Klopp, who previously managed Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund, said his squad is full of players who regularly exceed expectations at their clubs, and he wants that to carry over to the national team.
The 59-year-old also pushed back on the idea that his players are unmotivated at international level, insisting the group cares deeply about representing Germany.
Klopp recalled goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who will start on Thursday. Ter Stegen, a Champions League winner with Barcelona in 2015, will face his former teammate Xavi, who takes charge of the Netherlands for the first time.
