'When he calls, you can't say no': Ebnoutalib reveals Klopp talks convinced him to snub Morocco for Germany
Eintracht Frankfurt forward Younes Ebnoutalib has revealed that a phone call from Jurgen Klopp made his international future an easy decision, saying the new Germany head coach is someone "you can't say no" to.
The 23-year-old was eligible to represent either Germany or Morocco, having previously appeared for Morocco at youth level, but intense talks with Klopp left him in no doubt as to where his future lay.
"I am very, very proud. There were also talks with Morocco, but they weren't as intense as with Jurgen," Ebnoutalib said. "I'm just proud. You have to say, he is one of the best coaches in the world. And when he calls, you can't say no."
Klopp casting a wide net in first window
Klopp has named a larger, 44-man squad for his first international break in charge of Germany, who face the Netherlands in their Nations League opener on Friday, before taking on Greece twice, either side of a home clash with Serbia.
Sixteen of the 44 players are uncapped, as Klopp looks to familiarise himself with as many players as possible — and Ebnoutalib is among those hoping to earn his first senior cap.
He has done his chances no harm with a superb start to the season. Having joined Eintracht Frankfurt from Elversberg in a €10m deal in January, the attacker has scored four goals in as many Bundesliga games. Only Patrik Schick, Phillip Tietz, Michael Olise and Yuito Suzuki can match that tally.
His numbers underline the clinical nature of that run: Ebnoutalib has hit the target with five of his 11 total attempts, scoring with all but one of his shots on target, and has overperformed his 2.85 expected goals (xG).
'He has already fired us up'
Ebnoutalib says the respect he holds for the former Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool boss was immediate, but that Klopp's personality quickly shone through.
"The impression is very positive. He is, of course, someone who brings a great deal of experience and already has a certain presence because of what he has achieved over the years," he said. "So, naturally, you have a great deal of respect for him. But he was very nice and very likeable in the conversations."
He believes the German game will embrace Klopp's trademark style: "He is already very well known for the way he wants to play football, with high pressing, with a lot of energy and power. He has already fired us up.
"I think that's what he is known for, that he is very good at reaching people and getting them on board. He has certainly got us in the right mindset."
A heavyweight appointment
Klopp's pedigree is beyond question. He has overseen 1,080 matches across his managerial career, winning 588 of them (drawing 256, losing 236).
His 431 games in charge of Liverpool are the third-most by a manager in the club's history, behind only Bill Shankly (799) and Bob Paisley (523). His 334 Premier League games with the Reds, who won the title under him in 2019-20, are also the fifth-most with a single club in the competition's history, trailing only Arsene Wenger (Arsenal, 828), Alex Ferguson (Manchester United, 810), David Moyes (Everton, 488) and Pep Guardiola (Manchester City, 380).
Treu also dreaming of a debut
Defender Philipp Treu is another player hoping to make his senior Germany debut in the coming days, with three of his Freiburg team-mates also called up following their run to the Europa League final last season.
"It's definitely something where you say, 'Hey, it's cool that I can now train under Jurgen Klopp'," Treu said. "And that's why I'm just looking forward to being on the pitch with him later, soaking it all in, and just giving it my all."