Jurgen Klopp recently came under fire for his comments on Julian Nagelsmann, with the Germany head coach since opening up about the controversial statement
Jurgen Klopp looks on
Jurgen Klopp issued an apology(Image: FIFA via Getty Images)
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Julian Nagelsmann has explained that he "did not expect an apology" from Jurgen Klopp, after the legendary ex-Liverpool coach joked about replacing the German head. Klopp has been touted as a potential successor to Nagelsmann, and appeared to hint at that during Magenta Sport's live coverage of Germany's World Cup opener against Curacao - a game they won 7-1.
"Luckily, it's Julian Nagelsmann who's picking the team," Klopp said while discussing the starting XI before adding: "Still." Bayern Munich icon Thomas Muller, who was presenting alongside Klopp, couldn't contain his laughter at the tongue and cheek comment, before replying: "Kloppo, we are still in June. You are already in September."
The reaction from Stefan Effenberg - who won the Champions League with Bayern and made it to the final of Euro 92' with Germany - however, failed to share the amusement Klopp and Muller experienced. Speaking on Sport1 in the aftermath, he said: "That's not right; he's speaking to millions of viewers.
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"And on top of that, he ended up bursting out laughing. A comment like that, you can make it over a beer in the pub, but certainly not in front of millions of viewers. It's unacceptable."
While Muller argued that his and Klopp's conversations are often "lively," and that there's "always a bit of banter" in what they say, the 59-year-old head of global soccer for Red Bull took a more apologetic approach.
Speaking to the German head coach following the win over Curacao, he said: "We’re also informally part of the team, we’re absolutely on your side. I’ve already discovered the most hated word of the year: still.
Julian Nagelsmann speaks during a press conference
Julian Nagelsmann spoke about Jurgen Klopp's apology(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
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"I could have punched myself in the face for that, but it was already too late and I was on TV. It just slipped out casually, and has absolutely no relevance. What I’ve realised is, I’ll be 59 on Tuesday and I’m still an idiot."
He also added: "We are completely on your side, whatever you do with this. Nothing will come of it that is intended to disrupt the process here."
Nagelsmann appeared to brush Klopp's initial comments under the carpet when he was queried on them during a pre-match press conference looking toward Germany's match with the Ivory Coast, slated for Saturday evening.
He explained: "I did not expect an apology from Jurgen Klopp for his comments and I also don't listen to everybody talking about our team. That's not possible."
It comes as Klopp was also omitted from Ole Werner's goodbye letter, after the 38-year-old was handed his marching orders by Leipzig earlier this month. Speaking about Werner's dismissal, Klopp said: "We are acting in an advisory capacity as the Global Team.
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"But we were involved in the decision-making process and analysed the season. Ole (Werner) did a fantastic job. We qualified for the Champions League. But we also have to look forward at the same time. And when we thought about what that might look like, they decided on a change.”
Marcel Schafer, who is Leipzig's sports managing director gave a similar explanation, explaining: "We have analysed the past season intensively. And, on Tuesday evening, we decided to change the head coach. We have come to the conclusion that a different approach is necessary for the tasks ahead."
While Werner thanked Schafer in a letter to the club and its fans on LinkedIn, he made no mention of Klopp or supervisory board chairman, Oliver Mintzlaff.
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