Jürgen Klopp vows to reclaim German flag from 'the wrong people' as he names bold 44-man squad
Jürgen Klopp has called on Germany's national team to help ensure that "national pride is not entrusted to the wrong people", using his first squad announcement as head coach to deliver a pointed intervention on German politics.
Speaking at a press conference in Frankfurt, the former Liverpool manager referenced the recent state election win by the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which took almost 44% of the vote in the former East German state of Saxony-Anhalt on 6 September and expects strong results in Sunday's elections in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. While Klopp did not mention the AfD by name, he advocated for what he described as "positive patriotism".
"I don't want to entrust national pride to the wrong people," Klopp said. "A crazy amount of things have happened not that long ago. There was a vote which some people probably found OK, but others would have thought: 'Good heavens, what's going on here?'"
Klopp, who has often spoken out on social issues during his time in charge of Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund and Mainz, said he wanted supporters to feel able to wave the German flag without suspicion.
"From the perspective of someone in sport, I'd like to reclaim the flag for myself and for us," he said. "When we wave it, I don't want that someone thinks: 'What's going on with you?' I want that they think you're happy and you understand how lucky you are to be born in this wonderful country or to have moved here and live here."
The 59-year-old admitted he was "not even sure if one can – or is allowed to – use that term any more without it being misunderstood", but insisted that pride in Germany and openness could coexist. "I can be proud of being German and still be open, diverse, kind and friendly," he said.
Klopp argued that it was more important the country had enough doctors and caregivers, but said football can "foster a sense of community here, allowing us to truly feel the power of sport".
A 44-man squad for a new era
The political message came alongside an unconventional footballing decision: Klopp named a 44-man squad for Germany's four upcoming Nations League matches, despite matchday lists being restricted to 23 players.
"It's very unusual that you've got four games in two weeks with the national team," Klopp explained. "I want to get to know as many players as possible in that time."
Germany begin away to the Netherlands, then play Greece home and away either side of hosting Serbia. Florian Wirtz and Kai Havertz will probably be limited to a maximum of two of those games, as Klopp looks to fit in more new faces and reduce the workload on his biggest stars.
Karim Adeyemi returns for the first time in 11 months after a positive start at Barcelona, while Ajax's Marc-André ter Stegen steps up as first-choice goalkeeper following Manuel Neuer's international retirement.
Many of those called up have never played for Germany before. Some, such as the Elversberg midfielder Felix Keidel and the Eintracht Frankfurt forward Younes Ebnoutalib, have played only a handful of top-division games. Celtic's Mika Baur, Brentford's Vitaly Janelt and the Cologne youngster Said El Mala are among the other new faces, while the striker Deniz Undav and the winger Leroy Sané were not selected.
Klopp took the Germany job in July after the four-time World Cup winners suffered a third straight early elimination at a major tournament. His opening weeks in the role now carry a double significance: rebuilding a squad in transition, and staking a claim for what he believes the German flag should stand for.