Fresh start after World Cup debacle
Kimmich positional shift expected under Klopp
There is great anticipation for the first German squad under new national team manager Jürgen Klopp. The successor to Julian Nagelsmann has indicated his willingness to give one or another newcomer a chance. Tactically, too, several things could change in the national team following the World Cup debacle. An insider predicts a positional shift for Bayern Munich star Joshua Kimmich.
At the World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, Kimmich had to play right-back, despite being a regular defensive midfielder at Munich. A controversial decision for which Julian Nagelsmann faced considerable criticism.
The DFB captain has never hidden the fact that he feels more comfortable in midfield. Not least because he can control the game better from there. Will the new national team manager heed the calls of the 31-year-old?
Sport Bild chief reporter and national team expert Christian Falk is convinced he will. Falk stated that Klopp wants the best for his team and wants to deploy the best players in the positions where they perform best, predicting that Kimmich will no longer be seen as a right-back.
Falk believes that the era of experimentation in the national team is over for now. The transfer insider explained that he does not expect unconventional coaching ideas from Klopp that are designed to demonstrate what a supposed genius he is. Instead, there will finally be continuity going forward.
Klopp visits Bayern Munich and VfB Stuttgart
The new hope for the German Football Association is not wasting any time. Klopp has already attended several Bundesliga matches during the still-young season, visited several clubs during training sessions (including Bayern Munich, VfB Stuttgart, and Mainz 05), and has also sought dialogue with DFB youth coaches.
The 59-year-old will name his first squad on September 17. Seven days later, he makes his debut on the German bench at the Nations League opener in Amsterdam against the Netherlands, followed by three more international matches against Greece (twice) and Serbia by October 4.
