Klopp Storms Out of Interview Over 'African Football' Remarks
UKPulse Sport Desk
Former Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp ended an interview abruptly after being questioned about German player Bastian Schweinsteiger's comments on 'African football'. Klopp expressed his reluctance to discuss the sensitive topic.
- Jürgen Klopp stormed out of an interview in New York after being asked about Bastian Schweinsteiger's 'African football' remarks
- Schweinsteiger described African teams as 'a bit African football, a bit unorthodox, a bit wild, a bit perhaps also not so conditioned by tactics'
- Klopp felt 'fortunate' to have avoided the subject until then and didn't want to 'carry on the subject'
Former Liverpool manager and World Cup pundit Jürgen Klopp has sparked controversy after abruptly ending an interview in New York. The incident occurred when Klopp was asked about the recent comments made by former Germany player Bastian Schweinsteiger.
Schweinsteiger, who was commenting for German broadcaster ARD before Germany played Ivory Coast last weekend, described the African team's style as 'a bit African football, a bit unorthodox, a bit wild, a bit perhaps also not so conditioned by tactics.'
Klopp, who is working for broadcaster Magenta, appeared visibly taken aback when asked about Schweinsteiger's comments by Deutsche Welle in a huddle with journalists on Wednesday. He expressed his reluctance to delve into the sensitive topic, stating: 'Now you want to carry on the subject. No, no, I have no chance. I have no chance to answer this question.'
The German coach admitted he had felt fortunate to have avoided the subject until that point. He concluded with an ironic jab at the interviewer before departing: 'Thank God, I thought, nobody asked me about that. You found a moment. And surprisingly, you are German. That surprised me so much.'
Why this matters: This incident highlights the sensitive nature of discussing cultural differences in football, and how players and coaches can unintentionally cause offence. As the World Cup continues, UK fans will be watching with interest.
What this means for you: What this means for you: UK fans who are passionate about football will be following the World Cup closely, and incidents like this will be closely scrutinised. The controversy surrounding Schweinsteiger's comments highlights the importance of cultural sensitivity in the beautiful game.