Jurgen Klopp has laid his cards on the table after taking the Germany job
Jurgen Klopp
New Germany boss Jurgen Klopp has been given an early warning (Image: AP Photo/Michael Probst)
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Jurgen Klopp has been told how his Germany side should play, just days after taking the job and threatening to quit. The former Liverpool boss was the first man the German football federation (DFB) turned to after Julian Nagelsmann resigned following a disappointing World Cup that ended with a penalty shoot-out exit to Paraguay in the last 32.
Klopp has a big job on his hands, given it's been 10 years since the team won a knockout-round match at a major tournament. As Reds fans will know, Klopp will do things his way and won't stand for any outside interference.
However, that hasn't stopped German football legend and DFB sporting director Rudi Voller from advising Klopp on how the team should play. He believes Die Mannschaft should follow the example of world champions Spain, not runners-up Argentina, who have come in for widespread criticism for their conduct in the final, which saw them adopt cynical tactics and then instigate a post-match brawl.
Speaking at the International Coaches' Congress in Mainz, Voller said: "We, Germany, need to defend better. Many people held up Argentina as an example, and I thought that was a bad example.
"All of a sudden, the Argentinians became the gold standard. I found it a bit hypocritical. I don't want a team that plays like Argentina. That has nothing to do with football.
"Yes, they were world champions and, this time, runners-up. But, honestly, I don't understand the praise from so many people."
Germany sporting director Rudi Voller looks on prior to the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League A Group A3 match between Netherlands and Germany at the Johan Cruijff ArenA on September 10, 2024 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Rudi Voller has said what he expects from Klopp's side(Image: Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images)
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Voller added: "Spain deserved all the praise. Not only for the way they kept possession and attacked, but also for the way they defended. They really are a role model. I also really liked England."
Klopp has made it clear he took the role out of national pride, not because he needed to get back into management. During his first press conference, he said he would quit the job if he received the kind of attention metered out to Nagelsmann or Thomas Tuchel by the German media.
He said: "I'm not doing this job for myyself. I'm doing it for you. I’m taking this job even though I've seen how you’ve treated Julian Nagelsmann and Thomas Tuchel.
Liverpool legend Jurgen Klopp during the World Cup game between France and Morocco in Boston.
Klopp has set out some ground rules to the German media(Image: Harry Langer/DeFodi via Getty Images)
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"If tomorrow Jurgen Klopp is s*** then I will be gone. But if the DFB says, 'Come on, let's discontinue the job,' then that is it.
"And if you behave badly and don't leave my family in peace I will be gone, I'll just turn away. I love this job, but I'm always ready to call it quits."
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