Jurgen Klopp, the former Liverpool manager, has issued an apology to Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann following a controversial comment made during his punditry duties for Germany's opening World Cup 2026 match against Curacao. Klopp's remark, which questioned Nagelsmann's team selection, caused a stir back home despite Germany's dominant 7-1 victory.
Speaking on Magenta TV in Houston, Klopp, widely considered a potential successor to Nagelsmann, stated: "luckily, Julian Nagelsmann is picking the team, still." The inclusion of the word "still" in his comment was perceived by some as casting doubt on Nagelsmann's long-term future, which is often seen as dependent on the national team's performance in major tournaments. Thomas Muller, the former Germany and Bayern Munich forward who was also on the broadcast, light-heartedly responded, "Kloppo, we are still in June. You are already in September."
Following Germany's emphatic win, which saw them lead Group E, Klopp took the opportunity to apologise directly to Nagelsmann during an interview. "We’re also informally part of the team, we’re absolutely on your side," Klopp told the national coach. He added, "I’ve already discovered the most hated word of the year: still. I could have punched myself in the face for that, but it was already too late and I was on TV. It just slipped out casually, and has absolutely no relevance." Klopp concluded by self-deprecatingly remarking, "What I’ve realised is, I’ll be 59 on Tuesday and I’m still an idiot."
Klopp, who famously led Liverpool to Premier League and Champions League glory, has not returned to club management since his departure from Anfield in 2024 and currently holds the position of head of Global Soccer at Red Bull. His comments come at a time when Germany is under significant pressure to perform in the World Cup, having suffered group stage eliminations in both the 2018 and 2022 tournaments. The convincing victory against Curacao, where goals from various players secured a strong start, provides a crucial foundation for their campaign.
Germany's next fixture sees them face Ivory Coast on 20th June, followed by their final group stage match against Ecuador five days later. The team will be aiming to build on their opening performance and advance deep into the competition, hoping to secure a fifth World Cup title and restore national pride after recent disappointments.