Jurgen Klopp has labelled the debate surrounding his Germany squad's diversity as 'idiocy'. The former Liverpool boss, now managing the national team, said there is no reason to pay attention to figures attempting to stoke controversy over whether his side is 'German enough' or 'white enough'.
Klopp's response to far-right criticism
The 59-year-old, who signed a four-year contract over the summer, has had a slow start in charge of Germany, drawing with the Netherlands and losing to Greece. Sunday's defeat prompted attacks from far-right politicians targeting the squad for its limited number of white players.
Kay Gottschalk, deputy leader of Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), reshared side-by-side images of West Germany's 1990 World Cup final squad and the team Klopp named to face Greece. The 1990 photograph showed all-white players, while the side in Augsburg included eight non-white players. Gottschalk wrote: "Character traits, certain virtues, and team spirit are cultural values that develop over centuries and are shaped by shared historical experiences."
When pressed for a response during his press conference, Klopp hit back firmly: "There is absolutely no reason to pay attention to these people. You won't get my thoughts on this. I have little time in everyday life for idiocy – and even less on social media."
Klopp's call for respect
He added: "The great crux of our lives is that everyone is allowed to express their opinion ... it's insane when something like that exists." Klopp believes mutual respect remains achievable, saying: "The world could learn a thing or two from a sports changing room ... There, everyone is respected based on the facts and not discredited based on false opinions."
The AfD has made similar criticisms in the past. In 2016, following Germany's European Championship exit, Beatrix von Storch, the party's Deputy Party Leader, posted on X: "Perhaps the German NATIONAL TEAM should play again next time?"
Positive patriotism
Since taking charge, Klopp has championed 'positive patriotism' and seeks to reclaim the German flag. Speaking last month, he said: "I don't want to entrust national pride to the wrong people. A crazy amount of things have happened not that long ago. There was a vote which some people probably found OK, but others would have thought: 'Good heavens, what's going on here?'"
"From the perspective of someone in sport, I'd like to reclaim the flag for myself and for us. When we wave it, I don't want that someone thinks: 'What's going on with you?' I want that they think you're happy and you understand how lucky you are to be born in this wonderful country or to have moved here and live here."
