Klopp Begins Germany Tenure Against Netherlands in Nations League
The short version
- Jürgen Klopp coaches Germany for the first time against the Netherlands on Thursday in UEFA Nations League play.
- Klopp replaced Julian Nagelsmann after Germany's round-of-32 exit at the 2026 World Cup.
- The Netherlands is led by new coach Xavi Hernández, who succeeded Ronald Koeman.
- Virgil van Dijk said he hopes to defeat his former Liverpool coach in Klopp's debut.
- A minute's silence will honor Bartina Koeman, late wife of former Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman.
Jürgen Klopp takes charge of Germany for the first time in Thursday's Nations League opener against the Netherlands in Amsterdam.
Jürgen Klopp will coach Germany for the first time on Thursday when his side opens its UEFA Nations League campaign against the Netherlands in Amsterdam. Speaking to reporters after Wednesday's final training session, the new boss said there would be no gentle introduction to the job.
"I haven't heard of many friendly matches in Amsterdam so it's straight down to business," Klopp said. He added that the squad was full of anticipation and that his players were learning to enjoy playing under pressure, noting that pressure signals that something meaningful is at stake.
Klopp replaced Julian Nagelsmann, who stepped down after this year's World Cup, where Germany exited in the round of 32. Captain Joshua Kimmich acknowledged the team was coming from a difficult spell and said rediscovering its identity would be key.
The Netherlands also has a new coach, with Xavi Hernández taking over from Ronald Koeman following the Dutch side's last-32 World Cup defeat to Morocco. Xavi called Klopp one of the world's best coaches in recent years and said his team must show its top level.
Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk, who played under Klopp at Liverpool from 2018 to 2024 and won the Champions League and Premier League with him, said he was excited to see his former coach but hoped to hand him a losing start. A minute's silence will be held before kickoff for Bartina Koeman, the late wife of former Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman, who died last week at 65.
