Klopp's Germany debut: 44-player squad, 16 uncapped, Nations League opener vs Netherlands

Jürgen Klopp begins his Germany tenure with a 44-player squad including 16 uncapped players for Nations League matches starting Thursday against the Netherlands. Players including Younes Ebnoutalib credit Klopp's personal influence in their commitment to the national team, while the coach has called for national unity and a "new approach" to restore Germany's fortunes.

Quick Facts

Klopp appointed Germany head coach
44-player squad named for first international break
16 uncapped players included
Squad rotated into two different lineups
Ebnoutalib chose Germany over Morocco after Klopp contact

Jürgen Klopp has begun his tenure as Germany coach with an unconventional approach, naming a 44-player squad for his first four Nations League matches and rotating two almost entirely different lineups across the fixtures. Germany's opening match is away to the Netherlands in Amsterdam on Thursday 26 September, followed by a home fixture against Greece on Sunday 29 September. A second squad will then face Serbia on 1 October and Greece again on 4 October, with backup goalkeeper Finn Dahmen the sole player selected for both groups.

The squad includes 16 uncapped players, reflecting Klopp's stated aim to assess as many prospects as possible in his opening international break. Notable inclusions are players from recently promoted SV Elversberg and Freiburg, several of whom competed in Germany's second tier or played in the Europa League final only months ago. Notable omission includes fan favourite Deniz Undav. Klopp has visited league matches and training facilities across Germany to scout talent, drawing up an initial list of 57 candidates before finalizing his selection.

Eintracht Frankfurt striker Younes Ebnoutalib, 23, credited Klopp with persuading him to represent Germany rather than Morocco, which he had represented at youth level. "When Klopp calls, you can't say no," Ebnoutalib said. "He is one of the best coaches in the world and when he calls, impossible to say no." Freiburg defender Philipp Treu, also a first-time call-up, described Klopp as "a very special person" who can "connect and engage people very well." Both players highlighted the confidence Klopp's appointment has instilled.

Klopp, 59, recorded a video addressing Germany fans days before his opening match, introducing himself as "the new one" — a reference to his "normal one" quip from his Liverpool unveiling in 2015. He has promised a "new approach" to restore the fallen giant to global prominence, stating "it might get a bit wild, but I'll take that; it just has to be lively." At his squad announcement, he distributed sponsor hats bearing the message "one of 83 million" and has contacted DFB All-Stars (former capped players) seeking unified support, saying "we are all the national team."

Klopp has also addressed Germany's broader political context, calling for "positive patriotism" and stating his desire to "reclaim the flag" amid the electoral rise of the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. He noted that Germany's national team represents a diverse country and emphasized sport's role in creating "a sense of community." His appointment carries a £6 million annual salary and represents a significant statement of intent by the German Football Association (DFB) to revitalize a squad that has won only one knockout game at the World Cup or Euros since 2016.

Topics

Sports World

#Philipp Treu #UEFA Nations League #Germany national team #international football #Jürgen Klopp #uncapped players #Squad announcement #team selection #coaching #football

Entities

Why This Matters

Klopp's appointment and unconventional 44-player dual-squad rotation model will directly affect Germany's Nations League outcomes (starting 26–29 September and 1–4 October) and shape the competitive depth available for 2026 World Cup qualification and finals tournaments. The squad inclusion of 16 uncapped players tests tactical flexibility and depth while creating measurable career pathways for second-tier and Europa League-caliber talent; notable omissions (e.g. Deniz Undav) signal competitive selection criteria. Media and fan reaction will influence sponsor and DFB stakeholder confidence; Klopp's £6M annual salary represents DFB's stated restoration investment following Germany's absence from knockout rounds since 2016.

Timeline & Sources

Jan 1, 2024

Wire

Klopp departed Liverpool after nine years