Jurgen Klopp has taken over as Germany manager, ending Trent Alexander-Arnold's dream of playing under him for England. The Real Madrid defender previously said he would love to reunite with his former Liverpool boss on the international stage.
Alexander-Arnold's Words on Klopp
After Gareth Southgate stepped down following Euro 2024, Alexander-Arnold was asked about Klopp replacing him. He said: "I enjoyed every moment I worked with him, we shared amazing memories, forged an amazing relationship, an amazing bond. So of course if that were to happen, we would pick up where we left off."
At the time, he added he would be surprised if Klopp took the role so soon after leaving Liverpool: "I would be surprised if he did take it. It was clear when he announced when he was leaving, the conversations I have had with him, everything on social media, he seems to be enjoying his time off, so it would be a huge surprise."
Klopp's Germany Press Conference
Klopp opened his first press conference as Germany boss with a threat to quit if the media do not leave his family alone. He said: "Now is the time where I'm really in the middle of the media focus. I was surprised, not negatively or positively surprised, at how fast news spread. And it's sometimes hard for people to just think 'let's turn a blind eye to things' and not to divulge any information.
"Sometimes that is the right thing to do, not to publish things that happened. I know full well this is job number one for me. It is my mission to make the national squad better and to hope the pool for me to choose from is bigger.
"But it is not something I will do against you, but I’m doing it for you. It is an honour. I will be remunerated very graciously and if tomorrow it's 'Jurgen Klopp is s***', then I will be gone. But if the DFB (German FA) says ‘Come on let us not continue the job’ then that’s it.
"And if you (the media) behave badly and don’t let my family live in peace. I’ll be gone and I'll just turn away. I know there are other countries where the national team head coaches are treated even worse. But I love this job, but I’m always ready to call just call it quits if need be.
"Jurgen Klopp is not going to have any ‘career’ after the national team, this is the absolute pinnacle of my footballing career as a coach. I will give everything I’ve got."
England Career Stalls Under Tuchel
Alexander-Arnold's international career has stalled under Thomas Tuchel, who left him out of England's World Cup squad this summer. The 27-year-old suffered an injury-hit debut campaign with Real Madrid, making just 30 appearances across all competitions in a trophy-less season for the Spanish side.
