Joachim Löw has noticed a change in mood under new national coach Jürgen Klopp. In a “Kicker” interview, the former world champion coach of the German national soccer team also said when the final settlement will be made. “The whole nation wanted Jürgen Klopp as a coach,” said Löw: “The new beginning is noticeable, new players are there, we are experiencing a departure into a different time, the mood is positive again.”
Klopp, once coach at FSV Mainz 05, Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool FC, took over the German selection from Julian Nagelsmann after the unsuccessful World Cup last summer. Of the first four games under his responsibility, only one win was achieved before today's game in the Nations League in the evening against hosts Serbia. One game was lost and two ended in a draw. You shouldn't expect miracles from Klopp, warned Löw: "He has to get time, his team has to find itself."
After all, there is a lot to be done, there needs to be fundamental changes in the gaming culture and training. Löw's sobering analysis: "In the end, in some positions we lack attitude, not tactics, but simply quality. Other nations are ahead of us individually, especially when it comes to creating playful solutions."
“We must encourage and demand creativity and courage”
The prime example is world and European champion Spain. Coach Luis de la Fuente's team plays offensively, but only conceded one goal at the World Cup. Löw: "You can't beat the Spaniards with German virtues alone. That's a misconception. That's what the Argentinians experienced in the summer, who were considered the measure of all things when it came to mentality."
In the future, the German game should also become more active and attractive, says Löw: "We have to encourage and demand creativity and courage. We determine the game, the opponent reacts to us, not the other way around. I see a lot of teams in the Bundesliga that play reactive football, and I don't like that."
Löw also sees deficiencies in German football when it comes to training future stars. He advocates a uniform playing philosophy in the clubs. The world champion coach: "Some clubs have 15 coaches in ten years with completely different orientations and philosophies. But where is the consistency in training? Do you have a uniform playing philosophy, do you have a uniform idea? And is this more important than the place in the table?"
Advice to Klopp? “I wouldn’t presume”
Klopp's contract with the DFB is valid up to and including the next World Cup in 2030. Before that, the 2028 European Championship is on the agenda in less than two years. "The verdict is always made when you go home from a tournament. At the big tournaments you have to show it," said Löw, who won the title at the World Cup in Brazil in 2014 with the DFB team, but was eliminated with the team in the group phase in 2018 as defending champions.
Klopp doesn't need any advice from him, emphasized Löw, who will be a guest on the "Bild" program "Lage der Liga" (on YouTube and on bild.de) from 10 a.m. on Sunday: "I wouldn't presume to do that either." However, the now 66-year-old explained what, in his view, are the prerequisites for Germany's selection to become world-class again. "I have analyzed for many years: What does world class mean? For me it is an active style of play that hurts the opponent, with high risk, with speed, with a move towards the goal," he explained.
At the same time, a lot of security in possession of the ball is important: “If you want to win titles, you have to be dominant in your play and combine this with great power.”
