Jurgen Klopp has been warned that Germany are not a ‘top team’ as the former Liverpool boss deals with his first defeat as the national team’s manager. Sunday night saw the Germans suffer a 1-0 defeat at home to Greece in the Nations League, with Klopp still searching for his first victory.
Klopp's difficult start
Klopp was named as Germany’s new manager in the summer, replacing Julian Nagelsmann after the country’s early exit in the World Cup, but has yet to win any of his two games in the job. The former Liverpool manager oversaw a 1-1 draw with the Netherlands in his first game in charge last week and has two more games to take charge of before the extended international break comes to an end.
However, Klopp has been issued a warning about the players that Germany currently have available, with former Manchester United and Bayern Munich star Bastian Schweinsteiger giving his verdict.
Schweinsteiger's verdict
“Let me reiterate, we are no longer a top team,” Schweinsteiger said on German broadcaster ARD, via Bild. “We've reached mediocrity. We no longer have those players. We have to get away from that.”
Klopp named 44 players across his first games as Germany boss, and Schweinsteiger has explained why he understands the thinking behind the decision. “That's why Jurgen Klopp – and it's the right thing to do – has to look at everyone who could be considered, in order to develop a team that will then play Jurgen Klopp's style of football,” he said. “Hopefully, we'll see that in November.”
Schweinsteiger added: “Jurgen Klopp is still finding his feet. This is only his second international match. These things take time. He's not a magician. You can't expect the team to leave the pitch here with a 4-0, dominant victory against Greece. This is hard work.”
What's next for Germany
The next test for Klopp will see Germany face Serbia on Thursday evening in Munich, where the former Liverpool boss will be keen to get his first win as the national team’s new manager. After that, Klopp and Co. will go away from home on Sunday to face Greece once again, in what will be the final match of the international break.
