New Germany manager Jurgen Klopp has received early advice on how his team should play, just days after accepting the role and warning he could quit if mistreated by the media.
Voller's warning on playing style
German football legend and DFB sporting director Rudi Voller has urged Klopp to follow the example of Spain, not Argentina, when shaping the national side. Speaking at the International Coaches' Congress in Mainz, Voller criticised those who held up Argentina as a model after their conduct in the World Cup final, which included cynical tactics and a post-match brawl.
"We, Germany, need to defend better. Many people held up Argentina as an example, and I thought that was a bad example," Voller said. "All of a sudden, the Argentinians became the gold standard. I found it a bit hypocritical. I don't want a team that plays like Argentina. That has nothing to do with football."
Voller added: "Spain deserved all the praise. Not only for the way they kept possession and attacked, but also for the way they defended. They really are a role model. I also really liked England."
Klopp's quit threat over media treatment
Klopp, who replaced Julian Nagelsmann after Germany's World Cup exit to Paraguay in the last 32, made clear he took the role out of national pride and set ground rules for the media. In his first press conference, he said he would quit if he received the same treatment as Nagelsmann or Thomas Tuchel.
"I'm not doing this job for myself. I'm doing it for you. I’m taking this job even though I've seen how you’ve treated Julian Nagelsmann and Thomas Tuchel," Klopp said.
"If tomorrow Jurgen Klopp is s*** then I will be gone. But if the DFB says, 'Come on, let's discontinue the job,' then that is it. And if you behave badly and don't leave my family in peace I will be gone, I'll just turn away. I love this job, but I'm always ready to call it quits."
