JURGEN Klopp has plunged Germany’s World Cup into a war of words before it even starts.
Former Liverpool boss Klopp and fellow German TV pundit Thomas Muller have been accused of disrespecting head coach Julian Nagelsmann by calling for Jamal Musiala to be dropped for Jattvibeday’s opening game against Curacao.
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Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is ruffling feathers with comments as a TV pundit Credit: Getty
Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann is under pressure, with Klopp tipped to replace him Credit: Getty
And with Klopp tipped to replace Nagelsmann if the team flop at the tournament, former captain Lothar Matthaus has slammed him for his comments.
Nagelsmann, when asked if he agreed with Matthaus’ criticism of Klopp said: “This is not the right way for me to talk about this topic.
“I know what my feelings are but I will not say it.
“We have a lot of experts. Thomas and Jurgen are cool guys. They have had a lot of success in the world of soccer.
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“They can talk about anything they want to talk about.
“But I will concentrate on my team and on my work, and on trying to win the match.
“We have to deal with stuff like this.”
Matthaus, who led West Germany to World Cup triumph in 1990, said: “I was very surprised when I saw that Jürgen Klopp and Thomas Müller advised playing Deniz Undav instead of Jamal Musiala in the opening match.
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“I accept their opinion, but I don’t want to let it stand. I feel it lacks sensitivity. Jürgen Klopp, of all people, should know better.
“To have a successful World Cup, Germany needs the quality of Musiala. That’s why he needs to be given trust and playing time.
“Klopp’s comments aren’t exactly making Nagelsmann’s job any easier.
“I’d like to see what Klopp would have said if a pundit had advised him to bench one of his regular starters before an important Champions League match.
“Such interference isn’t well received, especially among fellow coaches.”
The other hot topic in Germany camp is whether Nagelsmann will pick Manuel Neuer after the Bayern Munich goalkeeper reversed his decision to retire from international football and was controversially recalled to the squad.
Hoffenheim ‘keeper Oliver Baumann was between the sticks for the qualifying campaign, and also for the warm-up games after Neuer suffered a calf injury.
But it seems like Neuer will get the nod against Curacao – which will please Matthaus, who believes he will be crucial to Germany’s chances.
Manuel Neuer is set to start Germany’s opening game after his shock return Credit: Getty
Former Germany captain Lothar Matthaus has welcomed Neuer’s return Credit: Getty
Nagelsmann, who also confirmed Nathaniel Brown would start at wing back, said: “Manuel is healthy. He is fit enough to start the game.
“He didn’t really have the rhythm but now he has the rhythm.
“He has played a lot and we trust him a lot.
“Lothar is right: in order to have a good World Cup, we need to have Manuel in top top performance [level], and I think he can bring that.”
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