Jürgen Klopp used his first Germany squad announcement to call for what he described as “positive patriotism,” saying he wanted to reclaim the national flag for an inclusive and open-minded vision of German identity.
“I can be proud to be German and still be open-minded, diverse, kind, and friendly,” Klopp said. He referred to a recent state election in Saxony-Anhalt won by the Alternative für Deutschland, saying the result had prompted mixed reactions and that he did not want national pride left to people he considered the wrong representatives of it.
Klopp said he was not a political expert and did not intend to discuss politics at every news conference. However, he argued that football could help create a sense of community. He also stressed that doctors, nurses and workers in many other professions were more important to society than footballers, while saying sport could help people feel connected.
The coach pointed to recent achievements by German athletes and teams, including tennis player Alexander Zverev, the world champion field hockey team, women’s basketball and competitors at the European Athletics Championships. He said the task was to create an atmosphere in which people were willing to support one another.
Klopp named a 44-player squad containing 11 new faces, presenting it as a reflection of the diverse society he said he valued. He also appealed to the media to assess the players constructively as Germany begins a new period under his leadership.
His comments echoed former Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann, who previously urged greater solidarity and less negativity after Germany’s Euro 2024 exit. Klopp also wore a cap bearing the phrase “one of 83 million,” referring to the idea that everyone has an opinion on the national team and therefore shares responsibility for its success.
Klopp cited the 2006 World Cup as an earlier example of football’s ability to influence German attitudes toward national pride. He said his career had led him to this moment and presented the national team as a vehicle for renewing that sense of shared identity.