Klopp as Germany manager: Squad, debut & Nations League 2026
Published on 14.09.2026 in Football
Jürgen Klopp as Germany Head Coach: A New Era for the German National Team
The new era of the German national team has begun. Jürgen Klopp, one of the most successful German coaches of the past decades, is taking over the DFB team. After spells at Mainz 05, Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool FC, Klopp now faces perhaps his greatest challenge: turning Germany back into an international top team.
The euphoria surrounding the new Germany head coach is already clearly noticeable. DFB sporting director Rudi Völler speaks of a sense of optimism that goes far beyond the normal level associated with a change of coach. At the same time, Klopp faces an exceptionally demanding start: four Nations League matches within just eleven days.
In this article, you will find everything you need to know about Klopp’s start with the DFB, his first squad, potential surprises and the most exciting Nations League betting options at MERKUR BETS.
Klopp as Germany head coach: Rudi Völler speaks of great euphoria
Just a few weeks after his appointment, Rudi Völler is already noticing a clear sense of optimism surrounding the German national team. The DFB sporting director has repeatedly emphasized that Klopp could have a special impact thanks to his previous coaching career and his ability to inspire and bring people together.
Völler explained that every new Germany head coach initially generates a sense of euphoria. With Klopp, however, the situation is somewhat different, as his successes and personality give him the potential to “ignite something special”.
His first few weeks in office have made a particularly strong impression. Klopp attended numerous Bundesliga matches, held talks with clubs and gained a personal overview of potential Germany internationals.
DFB debut: Four matches in eleven days
The new Germany head coach is immediately faced with a mammoth schedule in the Nations League. Four international matches are scheduled within just eleven days.
Jürgen Klopp’s schedule
- 24th September 2026: Netherlands vs. Germany (Amsterdam)
- 27th September 2026: Germany vs. Greece (Augsburg)
- 1st October 2026: Germany vs. Serbia (Munich)
- 4th October 2026: Greece vs. Germany (Thessaloniki)
Match predictions
Netherlands vs. Germany
The first match under Jürgen Klopp could hardly be more challenging. Particularly interesting: the Dutch national team is also entering a new era. Following Ronald Koeman’s resignation after the 2026 World Cup, Xavi Hernández was appointed as the new national team coach. The former World and European champion with Spain gave his first impressions as Oranje coach at the end of August and will now face Germany directly in his first competitive match.
This means it will not only be Klopp’s debut as Germany head coach, but also a clash between two national teams undergoing a new tactical direction under new coaches. While Klopp is relying on intensity, counter-pressing and quick transitions with the DFB, Xavi wants to develop the Netherlands with dominant possession-based football and the traditional principles of the Dutch football school.
This gives Klopp an immediate opportunity to showcase the first signs of his playing philosophy against a European top opponent. The match is likely to be an important benchmark for the further course of his first international break. Given the individual quality on both sides, the Netherlands’ home advantage and the fact that both teams are playing under new coaches, a draw appears to be a realistic debut result for the German national team.
Germany vs. Greece
On paper, Germany enters the match as a clear favorite. Although Greece has a well-organized team whose traditional strength comes from a compact defense and great discipline without the ball, the DFB squad has clear advantages in terms of quality.
For Jürgen Klopp, the match could be the perfect opportunity to establish the first patterns of his preferred 4-3-3 system. Experts expect bold pressing, plenty of ball recoveries in the opposition half and a significantly higher tempo than under predecessor Julian Nagelsmann. Especially against an opponent expected to defend deep, it will be interesting to see how quickly the German team can implement Klopp’s ideas in possession.
Germany should control the match and create numerous scoring opportunities. Anything other than a home win would be a surprise.
Germany vs. Serbia
Many experts consider Serbia to be the toughest challenge in Klopp’s first four-match international schedule. The Serbs have a physically very strong team, play with intensity and regularly cause problems for top national teams with their combination of experience and individual quality. Their strength in duels, set pieces and transition situations is considered particularly dangerous.
The match should therefore be an important benchmark for Klopp. If Germany has already made initial progress in counter-pressing and defending without the ball by then, this game could provide valuable insight into how competitive the new DFB team already is against physically strong opponents. It is also possible that Klopp will rotate his squad due to the tight schedule and give some young players playing time without compromising the team’s stability.
The greater technical quality favors the DFB, while physicality and fighting spirit are more on Serbia’s side. A narrow German victory or a draw currently appear to be the most likely outcomes.
Greece vs. Germany
A lot could already depend on the standings in the return match. Greece will be a significantly more difficult opponent at home than in the first meeting and will benefit from the support of the home fans. In Athens in particular, Greece has repeatedly produced strong performances against nations considered to be stronger in recent years.
For Klopp, this match will be particularly interesting from a mental perspective. After eleven intense days and four matches in a short period of time, the workload is likely to be high. At the same time, this could show how quickly his team has developed the resilience that Rudi Völler has repeatedly called for recently.
If Germany has already collected important points by then, Klopp could also use the match to test additional players and assess the depth of his squad.
Playing away from home, Germany will face the most intense atmosphere of the international break so far. Nevertheless, the Germans possess greater individual quality. A hard-fought win or a low-scoring draw currently appear to be the most likely scenarios.
Völler praises Klopp’s network
From the DFB’s perspective, one particularly important factor is Klopp’s extensive network within German football.
According to Völler, Klopp has already visited numerous Bundesliga venues during his first few weeks, held talks with club officials and become closely involved with the youth development sector.
The new Germany head coach is not only expected to improve the senior national team, but also to intensify cooperation with Bundesliga clubs, youth development centers, Germany’s youth national teams and DFB youth coaches.
When will the squad be announced?
Jürgen Klopp will announce his first squad on: 17th September 2026 at the DFB Campus in Frankfurt.
Due to the heavy workload of four matches in eleven days, an unusually large squad is expected. According to reports, Klopp is planning with around 26 to 29 players.
Which players are considered safe candidates?
Various experts expect the following players to form the core of the new DFB team:
- Joshua Kimmich
- Jamal Musiala
- Florian Wirtz
- Kai Havertz
Wirtz and Musiala in particular appear to be a perfect fit for Klopp’s desired fast transition and pressing system.
Surprises in Klopp’s first squad?
Jürgen Klopp currently has an exceptionally large selection of goalkeepers at his disposal. In addition to established candidates such as Marc-André ter Stegen, Oliver Baumann and Alexander Nübel, Loris Karius in particular has played his way back into the spotlight with strong performances for Schalke 04 at the start of the season. Klopp also knows the goalkeeper very well from their time together at Liverpool FC, which could further improve his chances of being selected.
However, the more exciting question is likely to be which outfield players the new Germany head coach might surprisingly call up. Klopp already announced at his unveiling that he wanted to be brave and give opportunities to players who not everyone currently expects to be selected. Various experts and media outlets consider the following candidates to be interesting outsiders for the first squad.
Philipp Treu (SC Freiburg)
The Freiburg player has played his way onto the radar of many experts with consistently strong performances and his tremendous work rate. Treu embodies exactly the intensity and mentality that Klopp has demanded from his teams for years. Especially on the flanks, the 25-year-old could therefore be one of the biggest winners of the coaching change.
Elias Baum (Eintracht Frankfurt)
The Frankfurt player is one of the most exciting German full-back talents and is considered a potential candidate for the DFB’s long-term transformation. His dynamism, aggressive pressing and technical quality would fit Klopp’s playing philosophy extremely well. Since Klopp places particular emphasis on communication with the DFB youth setup, Baum could get his opportunity sooner than expected.
Said El Mala (1. FC Köln)
Few German youth players have attracted as much attention in recent months as Said El Mala. The attacking player combines pace, courage in one-on-one situations and tremendous fearlessness. These are qualities that Klopp traditionally values highly. If the Germany head coach really wants to test a new attacking talent, El Mala is one of the hottest candidates.
Nicolo Tresoldi (Club Brugge)
The Germany U21 international has taken his next development step in Belgium and established himself at Club Brugge as a dangerous attacking player. His high work rate is likely to be particularly interesting for Klopp. Tresoldi works intensely without the ball, presses early and embodies many of the elements that are crucial to Klopp’s football. He is therefore considered by many observers to be a potential surprise striker in the first squad.
Finn Jeltsch (VfB Stuttgart)
Finn Jeltsch is repeatedly mentioned in the defensive area. The young center-back is considered one of Germany’s biggest defensive talents and, despite his young age, already demonstrates remarkable composure in build-up play. Precisely because Klopp has announced that he also wants to think long-term and integrate new players, Jeltsch could receive a surprise call-up.
At the moment, the most realistic surprise call-ups appear to me to be Philipp Treu and Said El Mala. They would not only impress from a sporting perspective, but also fit exceptionally well with the principles Klopp has repeatedly emphasized since taking over: intensity, courage, counter-pressing and development potential.
New opportunities for sports betting fans
The change of coach is also likely to be particularly interesting for betting fans.
New coaches often bring the following aspects with them:
- changed playing systems
- different starting line-ups
- new key players
- hard-to-predict match developments
This creates numerous interesting betting opportunities around Klopp’s first matches at MERKUR BETS:
- Match winner bets
- Both teams to score
- Over/Under goals
- Half-time/Full-time bets
- Goalscorer bets
- Nations League outright bets
Customers also regularly benefit from attractive promotions, football offers and selected odds boosts on international top matches.
Conclusion: The Klopp effect is already being felt
Jürgen Klopp’s start as Germany head coach is one of the most exciting developments in German football in recent years. Even before his first match, Rudi Völler is speaking of a noticeable sense of euphoria surrounding the DFB team. At the same time, four Nations League matches in eleven days represent a major test right from the start.
The first squad announcement on 17 September will be particularly interesting. It will provide the first indication of which players Klopp has selected for his intense style of football and which surprises await the fans.
Anyone who does not want to miss the development of the German national team, current squad news, betting tips and the latest analysis surrounding Jürgen Klopp can regularly find the latest information from the world of football on the MERKUR BETS Blog.
FAQ about Jürgen Klopp as Germany head coach
Jürgen Klopp will announce his first squad as Germany head coach on 17th September 2026 at the DFB Campus in Frankfurt. Preparations for the first Nations League matches will begin afterwards.
Klopp will play his first match as Germany head coach on 24th September 2026 in the Nations League against the Netherlands in Amsterdam.
The new Germany head coach will face four Nations League matches within just eleven days:
- Netherlands vs. Germany (24th September 2026)
- Germany vs. Greece (27th September 2026)
- Germany vs. Serbia (1st October 2026)
- Greece vs. Germany (4th October 2026)
Experts expect Klopp to favor an attacking 4-3-3 system. High intensity, counter-pressing, quick transitions and aggressive ball recoveries have traditionally been among his most important principles.
Among the most likely call-ups are Joshua Kimmich, Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala and Kai Havertz. These players are considered particularly well suited to Klopp’s football philosophy.
Potential surprise candidates include Philipp Treu, Elias Baum, Said El Mala, Nicolo Tresoldi and Finn Jeltsch. Klopp has already announced that he wants to make bold decisions.
Rudi Völler has repeatedly emphasized that Klopp’s personality, his success at the highest level and his ability to inspire people have created a special sense of optimism surrounding the national team.
You can always find the latest analysis, squad news, betting tips, odds and the most important developments surrounding the German national team on the MERKUR BETS Blog.