Klopp bans phones and limits family visits as he sets four rules for Germany squad

Jurgen Klopp has wasted little time imposing his authority on the German national team, enforcing four new rules as he prepares to take charge for the first time in a Nations League opener against the Netherlands.

According to German outlet Bild, Klopp has introduced mandatory communal dinner times, with all players and staff expected to sit down together at 7pm or 8pm. Phones are banned before matches, with players required to focus entirely on preparation. Players will also no longer be permitted to get haircuts at the team hotel — those personal errands must be handled before joining up with the squad. Finally, Klopp has placed limits on family visits during major tournaments, ending the open-door policy that had previously been in place, though exceptions will still be made.

The measures signal a clear shift in culture for a side that has endured a difficult decade. Germany were eliminated at the group stage of both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, and were knocked out by Paraguay at the most recent tournament. They have not reached the semi-finals of a European Championship since 2016, cycling through managers including Hansi Flick and Julian Nagelsmann — the latter sacked after the World Cup — before appointing Klopp as his successor.

Klopp has also taken an unconventional approach to his first squad selection, effectively naming two separate groups of players. “I want to get to know as many players as possible,” he explained. “There is no A or B team. The squads are put together in a way that makes sense on the pitch and in terms of character and experience.”

Early indications suggest the new head coach is already making an impression on his players. Defender Philipp Treu said: “It’s definitely something where you say, ‘Hey, cool, that I can now train under Jürgen Klopp. And that’s why I’m just looking forward to being on the pitch with him later, soaking it all in, and just giving it my all.’”

Freiburg teammate Max Rosenfelder added: “I believe that he is simply a very, very special person. I think he’s someone who can connect and engage people very well.”

Klopp’s first test comes against the Netherlands in Germany’s Nations League opener, with further fixtures against Greece twice and Serbia to follow.