Kylian Mbappé's Admiration for Jürgen Klopp
French national striker Kylian Mbappé has expressed his enthusiasm regarding Jürgen Klopp's appointment as the new head coach of the German national team. In an interview with 'Sport Bild', Mbappé stated, "Absolutely justified. Klopp is one of the best coaches of the last twenty years." Currently training under the renowned Portuguese coach José Mourinho at Real Madrid, Mbappé highlighted the appeal of both Klopp and Mourinho, noting, "These are coaches under whom every professional would want to play. It’s simply wonderful to see him back on the sidelines. I am very much looking forward to the next match against him." This statement reflects the deep respect Mbappé holds for Klopp, particularly in light of Germany's recent struggles in international tournaments.
Respect for German Football
Mbappé emphasized that despite Germany's recent performance dips, his respect for the national team remains unwavering. "My respect for Germany has always been very high, regardless of the coach. Germany still has one of the best teams in the world," the 27-year-old remarked. He acknowledged that while the team may not be in its best form currently, such fluctuations are part of football. With Germany being a four-time World Champion—double the titles of France—Mbappé asserted, "If I had no respect for Germany, I would be crazy." Furthermore, he confirmed that Klopp had shown interest in bringing him to Liverpool during his tenure at the club. However, Mbappé felt it was too early in his professional career to make such a move, stating, "I wasn't ready to leave my country. I wanted to go back to my hometown, Paris. I had only played one year for Monaco and needed my surroundings to feel comfortable. That’s why I went to PSG."
Klopp himself discussed these negotiations as a TV expert prior to the World Cup quarter-final between France and Morocco, revealing that the talks took place on a private jet flying over Nice, where they enjoyed a delightful meal while ensuring they were not seen. As Klopp prepares to lead the German team for the first time in the Nations League opener against the Netherlands, the pressure is on him to restore German football to its former glory. The upcoming match, set for Thursday at 20:45 (live ticker on SPIEGEL.de, TV: RTL), marks a significant moment for the newly appointed coach, who is often referred to as 'the miracle worker' in the football community.
As reported by spiegel.de.
