Klopp ready to 'get straight down to business' in Germany debut
· Yahoo Sports
Jürgen Klopp said he will get "straight down to business" in his debut as Germany coach in the Nations League opener against the Netherlands on Thursday.
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"I haven't heard of many friendly matches in Amsterdam so it's straight down to business," the new national team told journalists after the final training session on Wednesday.
"The last are all eager, so we're feeling a real sense of anticipation."
Klopp replaced Julian Nagelsmann, who stepped down after this year's World Cup, and faces the huge challenge of rebuilding the national team and making it successful again.
Germany went out in the group stage in the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. After a hopeful Euro 2024 on home soil, which ended in the quarter-finals with a narrow defeat to Spain, they were eliminated from the 2026 tournament in the round of 32.
Klopp's arrival has sparked a sense of optimism, but that needs to quickly be backed up with results.
"When there's pressure, something's at stake. When there's pressure, you know it's really important at that moment. Then it's easier to focus completely," he said.
"We learn to have fun under pressure," he added.
Captain Joshua Kimmich said that the team knows "we're coming from a difficult situation" and that "it will be important for us to rediscover our own DNA and our identity."
Van Dijk wants to spoil Klopp's debut
Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk is looking forward to seeing his former Liverpool coach Klopp, but wants to spoil his debut as Germany boss.
"I'm looking forward to seeing him. He's a very important person in my career," Van Dijk said ahead of the match.
"I'm excited to see him, but I hope we can make sure he loses his first match as national team coach."
Klopp and Van Dijk worked together at Liverpool between 2018 and 2024, winning the Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League in the following year.
"He's a complete coach. It will be a difficult match, but we're ready," the defender said.
Netherlands also has a new coach as Xavi Hernandez replaced Ronald Koeman, who stepped down following the Netherlands' last 32 defeat by Morocco at the recent World Cup.
Xavi said he's also looking forward for the clash against Germany, who were also eliminated from the World Cup in the last 32.
"Jürgen is one of the best coaches in the world in recent years. It will be a great challenge for me personally, a great challenge for the team," he said. "We must show out top level because we're playing against a great team."
Before kick-off, a minute's silence will be observed to honour the late wife of former Netherlands coach Koeman. Bartina Koeman died last week at the age of 65 after suffering from chronic breast cancer for several years.
"It all happened so fast. She was a wonderful woman and a fighter," Van Dijk said.