Virgil van Dijk is looking forward to facing Jurgen Klopp in his first match with the German national team
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Dutch national team captain Virgil van Dijk is looking forward to facing his former coach Jurgen Klopp in his first match as coach of the German national team in the European Nations League, expressing his appreciation for their career together in Liverpool and his desire to achieve victory.
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Why It Matters
Klopp and Van Dijk worked together at Liverpool between 2018 and 2024, winning the Champions League and the English Premier League. Xavi Hernandez took over as coach of the Netherlands, succeeding Koeman after their exit from the World Cup.
Virgil van Dijk, captain of the Dutch national football team, is looking forward to seeing his former Liverpool coach, Jurgen Klopp, but he wants to spoil his first match as coach of the German national team. Van Dijk said, before facing the Dutch and German national teams tomorrow, Thursday (September 24, 2026) in the European Nations League: “I am looking forward to seeing him. He is a very important person in my career as a player.” He added: "I am excited to see him, but I hope that we will succeed in defeating him in his first match as coach of the national team."
Klopp and Van Dijk worked together at Liverpool between 2018 and 2024, winning the Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League the following season.
Van Dijk said: "He is a complete coach. It will be a difficult match, but we are ready."
Xavi Hernandez: It will be a great challenge
The Dutch national team's coach is also new, and he is Xavi Hernandez, who replaced Ronaldo Koeman, who resigned after the Dutch national team's exit from the Round of 32 of the World Cup following its loss to the Moroccan national team.
Xavi said he was looking forward to the match against Germany, which also exited the World Cup in the round of 32. He said: “Jurgen is one of the best coaches in the world in recent years. It will be a great challenge for me personally, and a great challenge for the team. We must show our best level because we are facing a great team.”
Mbappe: Klopp is one of the best coaches in the world
In the same context, Kylian Mbappé, the star of the French national football team, said that he understands the great excitement surrounding Jurgen Klopp’s debut. Mbappe told Bild Weekly on Wednesday: “Certainly, this is true. Klopp is one of the best coaches in the last 20 years.” He added: "Jose Mourinho, Klopp, there are coaches that every player wishes to work with. It is great to see him again on the pitch. I look forward to the next match against him."
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
A football confrontation between the Netherlands and Germany tomorrow, Thursday
Very likely · Within days
Open Questions
- What is the final lineup of the two teams in the match?
- How will Koeman's absence affect the performance of the Dutch national team?
