Jürgen Klopp's pulse was still in the normal range when he spoke relaxedly and with lots of jokes about his national coaching debut in the arena in Amsterdam a good 24 hours before kick-off. He's not excited yet: "I'm assuming that it will happen in the future. But there is already a positive tension.”
In a brilliant mood, full of energy and with a quick comment to his first coaching rival Xavi, the 59-year-old had once again amazed everyone with a spontaneous interview in the otherwise top secret final training session in Herzogenaurach that morning. “The boys are all keen, so we feel a sense of optimism,” said Klopp.
He knows exactly what awaits him in the prestigious duel with the Netherlands on Thursday (8.45 p.m./RTL). «I haven't heard of many friendly games in Amsterdam. So, let’s get straight to the point.” The once successful club coach didn't want to make a title promise for his term as national coach, which was agreed until the 2030 World Cup, before the first game: "What I can promise is that you can tell from looking at us that we definitely want to give it a try."
The tricky opening test should be a first, small indication of where the path with Klopp could lead. He could hardly have imagined a more intense adrenaline rush than the classic against Germany's arch-rivals in football for his first game as national coach. «I don't know who I would rather play against. Strong opponent, new coach,” said Klopp.
With his typical scratch-brush charm, he gave the direction of the new bond coach. «I know more Holland players personally than Xavi. I don't know if that's an advantage. It’s still a fact.” There were a lot of laughs for that.
Beat Holland - that's it
Symbolically beat up Holland! That would be the start of the bright future that the German fans so desperately want, exactly 87 days after the next World Cup low point against Paraguay in the USA. An awakening experience is expected in game one under the 13th national coach. Of course Klopp wants an opening win. Each of his five predecessors (Völler, Klinsmann, Löw, Flick, Nagelsmann) achieved this in this century.
The spirit of optimism that he has sparked must be quickly backed up with results. But at the same time, the new DFB head coach is also concerned with the manner, will, passion and team spirit. Klopp teams are on fire. Klopp teams are running. Klopp teams carry people along.
First learning goal: “Have fun under pressure”
He himself calls it “Lesson one for our shared future: We learn to have fun under pressure.” Grab it. Don't pinch. Chest out. “If there is pressure, then something is at stake. When there is pressure, you know that it is really important at that moment. Then it’s easier to fully focus.”
He only had two training sessions with his first 24-player squad before the Nations League opener against Oranje. At the home ground in Herzogenaurach you could immediately feel this infectious love of football, which Klopp exemplifies so intensely that it rubs off on everyone else.
The captain feels an initial euphoria
«We know that we are now coming from a not so easy situation. Of course, with a new coach you always have a certain initial euphoria,” said captain Joshua Kimmich in an RTL/Sky interview. “It will be important for us to find our own DNA and our identity again.”
Four games in eleven days, that's exactly as many for Klopp at express speed as under Julian Nagelsmann at the disastrous World Cup. When Klopp classified the poor performances of the four-time world champion Germany in America as a TV expert and - "still" - his predecessor made the list.
Now she's actually knocking. It should be bolder, more innovative, more coherent. Even though he has packed many new faces into his XXL squad with 43 players, the first starting eleven should have a strong World Cup look.
An axis around midfield boss Kimmich
«A team needs stability, needs an axis. If the axis is stable, then you can go a little crazy and crazy on the outside and mix in a lot of youth. Then it works,” explained Klopp.
So: returnee Marc-André ter Stegen in goal. Jonathan Tah and Nico Schlotterbeck in the defense center. Before that, Kimmich in central midfield. Where the captain belongs for Nagelsmann's successor. The other World Championship drivers include Felix Nmecha, Jamal Musiala and, at the front, Kai Havertz.
Faithful, a shame, Adeyemi - a chance for power kickers
“We are still relatively focused on the World Cup, a well-rehearsed team in which the players know each other,” explained Klopp. Klopp can arrange the young ones around the established ones, the Freiburg international newcomer Philipp Treu and World Cup discovery Nathaniel Brown in the full-back positions. And possibly Kevin Schade and Karim Adeyemi as offensive turbo wingers for Klopp's typical power football. High pressing, a lot of energy and speed - just like at Liverpool FC.
If you want to have a future with the new national coach, you have to follow his path consistently. Things can get “wild” on the pitch at the beginning, said Klopp. He even predicts a hint of chaos in the starting phase. Only: “It has to be alive.” Klopp demands courageous players, but he also wants to give them total support. «I'll go through fire for the boys. If the boys give their all, I am responsible for defeats - no ifs or buts."
Defensive stability as the first principle
Working against the ball, against the opponent, becomes the first principle. “I stick with it: football quality becomes visible when a team has stability in its defensive behavior. That's the trampoline, that's the safety net you need," Klopp preached on the first few days: "If you only think about the offense, the defense will always kill you."
