Klopp apologises after Nagelsmann quip sparks row with Germany legend Effenberg

Jurgen Klopp has apologised to Julian Nagelsmann after a throwaway remark during Germany’s World Cup opener suggested the former Liverpool manager could be eyeing the national team job, sparking a public rebuke from Germany legend Stefan Effenberg.

Klopp was working as a pundit for Magenta Sport alongside Bayern Munich icon Thomas Muller for Germany’s 7-1 victory over Curacao. While discussing the starting XI, Klopp quipped: “Luckily, it’s Julian Nagelsmann who’s picking the team — for now.” Muller burst out laughing, but not everyone found it funny.

Effenberg, who won the Champions League with Bayern and reached the Euro 92 final with Germany, condemned the comment on Sport1. “That’s not right; he’s speaking to millions of viewers,” he said. “A comment like that, you can make it over a beer in the pub, but certainly not in front of millions of viewers. It’s unacceptable.”

Muller, who retired from international football in 2024 and now plays for Vancouver Whitecaps, pushed back at the criticism. “Our conversations are lively,” he said. “Our main aim is to convey our enthusiasm. We’re huge fans of the German team. But who could hold it against us? There’s always a bit of banter in what we say, and we’re not about to change our personalities any time soon.”

Klopp addressed the controversy directly on Monday, acknowledging the remark was ill-judged. “I’m here in the United States as a consultant, not as a journalist. That’s why I don’t need to be neutral all the time,” he said. “But looking back, I think I could have given myself a slap. It just slipped out without thinking, but it shouldn’t have any repercussions for anyone. Julian, I apologise. In any case, I’m turning 59 on Tuesday, and I have to admit I’m still an idiot.”

Klopp has been widely discussed as a potential future Germany head coach, which lent the quip an edge that went beyond ordinary punditry banter. Nagelsmann’s side recovered from an early scare against Curacao to win 7-1 and now face Cote d’Ivoire and Ecuador in Group E, with the top two advancing to the round of 32.