The words of national coach Jürgen Klopp should inspire captain Tom Bischof ahead of a crucial phase for the U21s. “Tom is a very fine footballer, has a lot of strategic talent and is just a really great guy,” said Klopp about the young Bayern star, who is in two German Football Association selection teams during this international break.
First, Bischof would like to help the U21 national team achieve a landmark victory on the way to the European Championship finals in Latvia on Saturday (6 p.m./Sat.1), then campaign for a permanent place in the senior team under Klopp. “Tom has a lot of things,” praised Klopp. The new national coach particularly emphasized the strong shooting pro's ability to use both feet. “There aren’t that many of them in this world,” said the 59-year-old.
The words were understandably well received by the Bayern professional. “Of course I’m just happy about the compliment,” said Bischof. “And that’s exactly what I want to prove to him and have a great week.”
“Tom is a leader”
Bishop was already able to get a taste of the top once - in the 2025 Nations League finals under Julian Nagelsmann. The 21-year-old then played six times for the U21s, scoring three goals in five wins and one defeat. “Tom is a leader,” said Hertha defender Linus Gechter. “That’s why he’s the captain.”
At FC Bayern, Bischof has to be more patient in the fight for playing time than at the U21s. Since his move from Hoffenheim in the summer of 2025, he has played an impressive 46 competitive games under coach Vincent Kompany, but “he doesn't play three games every week,” as Klopp loosely put it. Hence the plan: First gain more leadership experience with the U21, then get more minutes at the highest level in the international matches in Munich against Serbia (October 1st) and in Greece (October 4th).
“First and foremost, both roles are very good for me because here I can take on brutal responsibility,” said Bischof. “But I have to do that upstairs too, I’m no different person there.”
Di Salvo: He was immediately hooked
“I spoke to Jürgen Klopp about it, and then logically also to Tom. He was immediately hooked. FC Bayern also supports this and that’s why we have the plan,” explained U21 national coach Antonio Di Salvo. “This is also a very important sign to the team and the importance of these games, even if Tom then goes up to the senior national team,” said Di Salvo the day before kick-off
That is also the long-term goal at FC Bayern, with whom he visited the Oktoberfest again alongside Mehmet Scholl's daughter Josefine before leaving for the DFB. In preparation, Bishop took on a leadership role in view of the later entry of the World Cup participants in a Munich team that was still very young. The change in jersey number before this season to the “8” of former teammate Leon Goretzka also underlines the high status that Bishop, who is tied to the club until 2029, has in Munich.
This is what Bishop reveals about the Bavaria plan
“I know that I am scheduled for the six, for the center,” said Bischof. “But the coach still knows that I’m open to everything. If he needs me on the left, on the right or in goal, I'm there." In midfield, the versatile professional played in various offensive and defensive positions and also played both left and right back. “I’m open to everything,” said Bishop.
In the U21 he is supposed to shape the game in midfield. His team has qualification for the European Championship finals next summer in Albania and Serbia in their own hands. Three wins with Bishop against Latvia and without him on Wednesday in Malta and on October 6th in Bielefeld against Georgia - and the ticket is definitely booked.
