Jurgen Klopp said it mostly felt good to be back on the touchline as he started his Germany managerial reign with a 1-1 UEFA Nations League draw against the Netherlands
Jurgen Klopp speaks to the media
Jurgen Klopp noted where Germany needs to improve after a 1-1 draw with the Netherlands in the UEFA Nations League
Jurgen Klopp stepped back onto a professional touchline to manage for the first time in two years, and while fans were caught up in the nostalgia, the former Liverpool coach got straight to work with an honest assessment of his first match for Germany.
Germany left Amsterdam with a 1-1 draw against the Netherlands, handing Klopp a single point in his debut as national-team coach. The last time Klopp managed a match, Liverpool finished their season with a 2-0 win over Wolves back in May 2024.
Felix Nmecha put Germany ahead after 32 minutes, and that lead nearly survived until the final seconds. Cody Gakpo struck in the 92nd minute to snatch away Klopp’s dream start for three points while facing Xavi Hernandez in his international manager debut.
Klopp turned his comeback into a lesson in how international football punishes teams still searching for their shape, compared with nations with established identities and tactics played out by their most trusted players.
"It mostly felt good, but I managed over 1000 games in my career, so it was nothing new," Klopp said post-game.
"Two very good football teams in a similar situation."
Jurgen Klopp reacts from the touchline
Jurgen Klopp reacts from the touchline(Image: Getty Images)
The German coach was pleased with his team's opening performance before admitting that it became far less controlled as the game progressed. "We got off to a good start, and then we had real problems," he admitted.
"When the system isn't yet in place, and the processes aren't yet established, then something like this happens," he continued. "I was very pleased with the passion, the intensity, but we can definitely play better."
Germany struck first after Nmecha finished from close range, and Marc-Andre ter Stegen kept Germany afloat after denying Denzel Dumfries, Mexx Meerdink, and Virgil van Dijk with a string of saves.
Jurgen Klopp speaks with players after his Germany manager debut
Klopp accepted the point in his debut
Germany’s defense finally cracked when Gakpo buried Ruben van Bommel’s cross in stoppage time.
Klopp left Liverpool in May 2024 after nearly nine years. His run brought a Premier League title, a Champions League title, an FA Cup, two League Cups, a UEFA Super Cup, and a Club World Cup to Anfield.
Klopp’s roots run deep in German football after building his name at Mainz from 2001 to 2008, then spending seven years at Borussia Dortmund, where he won two Bundesliga titles and the DFB-Pokal.
The German manager has coached over 1,000 games and is close to fully identifying where Germany needs fixing. Klopp's side will face Greece during its next Nations League fixture on Sunday.