Jurgen Klopp has apologised to Julian Nagelsmann for casting doubts on his future as Germany boss. Klopp sparked a row in the German camp ahead of their World Cup campaign following some controversial comments on live TV.
The former Liverpool manager is working as one of the lead pundits on Magenta TV. He called on Nagelsmann to drop Bayern Munich star Jamal Musiala for the opening game against Curacao.
But it was one word he used in an exchange with fellow pundit Thomas Muller which has led to Klopp making a grovelling apology. Klopp used the word “still” when referring to Nagelsmann being the national team manager.
He said: “Luckily, Julian Nagelsmann is still picking the team”, as if to suggest he won’t be for too much longer, depending on how Germany get on at the tournament.
Klopp has been widely tipped to replace Nagelsmann as the next German manager. In the meantime, however, he has been left eating humble pie.
And he admits he feels so stupid for saying it, he could “punch himself in the face”. In the wake of Germany’s seven goal spanking of Curacao, Klopp said: “I’ve already found the most hated word of the year: ‘Still’.
“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 so casually, and has absolutely no relevance.
“What I’ve realised is, I’ll be 59 on Tuesday and I’m still an idiot.”
View 2 ImagesJurgen Nagelsmann’s Germany won their first World Cup 2026 match 7-1
Klopp insists he is fully behind Nagelsmann and told him: “We are completely on your side, whatever you do with this. Nothing will come of it that is intended to disrupt the process here.”
Kloppe’s quotes had been put to Nagelsmann himself during a recent press conference, where a Sport Bild reporter pressed the Germany boss for his response. “I’m surprised that the request is coming from you,” Nagelsmann said. He then asked the reporter what they thought of Klopp’s remarks, with the journalist saying: “A little prickly.”
Finishing the discussion, Nagelsmann then replied: “Good. Then. Next question.”
Klopp left his role as Liverpool boss in 2024 and has since taken on the role as head of global football for Red Bull, but has been frequently linked with a return to management. He won the Champions League twice with Liverpool as well as leading the Reds to the Premier League title in 2020.
Klopp said he was “tingling” with excitement at the prospect of being back pitchside for the tournament, which is being staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
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