2026 World Cup - Germany: Jürgen Klopp apologizes to Julian Nagelsmann

14.06.26 FT World Cup

Germany

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Curacao

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A few hours after Germany's emphatic 7-1 victory over Curaçao in their opening match at the 2026 World Cup, a video broadcast on Magenta TV reignited a minor controversy surrounding Jürgen Klopp.

Now working as a pundit for the channel, Jürgen Klopp hinted during a conversation with Thomas Müller that Julian Nagelsmann was "still in charge" when the squad was selected. This wording fueled speculation in Germany about the national team's coaching future.

In response to the reactions, Klopp made a point of clarifying his remarks and offered a direct apology to Nagelsmann on live television. "I've already found my most hated word of the year: 'still.' I could have slapped myself, but it was already too late, it was live. It just slipped out without thinking and it truly doesn't matter at all," he said.

The former Liverpool boss added with a touch of humor: "I've realized one thing: I'll be 59 the day after tomorrow and I'm still an idiot." Before concluding: "We're fully behind you, no matter what. None of this should disrupt your work here."

Joshua SOSSOU

Editorfr, en, ar

As a sports fan, and particularly a football fan, I've been putting my writing talent to good use for a number of years now to promote African talent and the continent's football in general. On Foot Africa, enjoy reading each of my lines.

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