Jurgen Klopp has launched a stinging attack on the German media after details of his first squad as Germany manager were leaked before the official announcement.
The former Liverpool boss branded the rush to publish Felix Keidel’s maiden call-up “pathetic” as he unveiled an extraordinary 44-man group for four Nations League fixtures.
Germany face an extended three-week international window containing matches against the Netherlands, Serbia and two meetings with Greece.
Klopp has responded by creating two separate squads, with different players set to handle each half of the demanding schedule.
Liverpool playmaker Florian Wirtz has been selected for the second group, while Arsenal forward Kai Havertz and Bayern Munich star Jamal Musiala will feature in the opening two games.
However, Stuttgart striker Deniz Undav has been overlooked despite finishing as Germany’s leading scorer at the World Cup with three goals.
The headline inclusion is 23-year-old Felix Keidel, who has earned his first senior call-up after impressing for Bundesliga newcomers SV Elversberg.
Jurgen Klopp has launched a stinging attack on the German media after details of his first squad as Germany manager were leaked before the official announcement
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News of Keidel’s selection emerged in the German press before Klopp had the opportunity to confirm it publicly.
The 59-year-old revealed that he contacted the youngster to ask how he had coped with the sudden attention generated by the leak.
“I don’t give a damn that it came out early,” Klopp told reporters at his press conference.
Felix Keidel is poised to make his international debut for Germany
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“I have absolutely no problem with that. I just think it’s a bit pathetic to make a living by putting things out there earlier than people actually need to know them.”
Klopp also attracted attention by wearing a baseball cap carrying the words “one of 83 million” in the colours of the German flag.
The message came following the AfD’s recent election victory in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt, although Klopp said he hoped to avoid regularly discussing politics in his new role.
“I want to reclaim the flag for us,” he explained.
“I don’t want to leave national pride to the wrong people.”
Klopp insisted football could provide a sense of togetherness and said he felt immense pride at being chosen to lead his country.
Jurgen Klopp is set to oversee his first four matches in charge of Germany
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The former Borussia Dortmund manager accepted the Germany job in July, ending a two-year absence from frontline coaching following his Liverpool departure in 2024.
He spent part of that period overseeing Red Bull’s global football operation.
Klopp succeeded Julian Nagelsmann, who was dismissed after Germany suffered a humiliating World Cup exit against Paraguay in the round of 32.
His reign will begin against the Netherlands on September 24, followed by the first Greece fixture three days later.
Klopp’s second squad will then face Serbia on October 1 before completing the unusual international programme against Greece on October 4.
