Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has slammed the FIFA Club World Cup, calling it "the worst idea ever." Klopp has been out of active management since leaving Anfield in 2024, but has been the Global Head of Soccer at Red Bull since January, despite links to other high-profile jobs in the past few months including the Real Madrid post..
The CWC has suffered from several problems this summer, including weather delays and low attendances. However, the former Borussia Dortmund and Mainz boss has slammed the tournament in a brutal rant, citing another key reason as to why the competition is detrimental to the sport.
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Klopp Slams CWC as Worst Idea Ever
Ther German is not a fan of FIFA's competition
Speaking to German newspaper Welt am Sonntag, as per the Daily Mail, Klopp did not hold back on his assessment of the tournament, labelling it as something that could impact players next season, with high-profile injuries expected by the popular coach.
"The Club World Cup is the worst idea ever implemented in football. People who have never had anything to do with day-to-day business are coming up with ideas. I fear that next season players will suffer injuries they've never had before. If not, then it'll happen at the World Cup or afterwards."
The expansion of the tournament, which saw 32 teams qualify, has widely been criticised for the toll it could take on the bodies of players. Its introduction means that international stars may only get a summer break once every four years should they feature in the World Cup and other continental tournaments.
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Klopp's former goalkeeper Alisson has previously spoken out on the issue of fixture congestion following the shake-up of the Champions League format, saying: "For the supporters, it is amazing – more games, more bigger games. For us players, it is good that you are going to play against the best in Europe. But it is always a good idea to add some games to the calendar that is not busy… I am being a little bit ironic. Sometimes, nobody asks the players what they think about adding more games."