Archive · 21 Sep 2026
Klopp's Two-Squad Plan Starts Germany's Rebuild After Exit
Juergen Klopp is trying to rebuild Germany’s football team.
He picked 44 players and divided them into two squads of 22.
The teams will play four Nations League matches in about nine or 10 days.
Jamal Musiala and Joshua Kimmich will play in the first two matches.
They will not play in the other two games.
Former captain Lothar Matthaeus said the plan was outstanding.
The arrangement could help Klopp learn about more players while keeping them away from their clubs for less time.
Germany hopes this rebuilding effort will help prepare for Euro 2028.
Juergen Klopp has selected two squads totaling 44 players for Germany’s first four matches under his management.
The plan covers four Nations League games in nine or 10 days while club and European seasons are underway.
Jamal Musiala and captain Joshua Kimmich are scheduled to play against the Netherlands and Greece in the opening matches.
Musiala and Kimmich will not feature against Serbia or in the later away match against Greece.
Lothar Matthaeus and Hans-Joachim Watzke praised the approach as Germany seeks to rebuild after recent World Cup disappointments.
- Who
- Germany coach Juergen Klopp, his 44 players, and officials including Lothar Matthaeus and Hans-Joachim Watzke.
- What
- Klopp is using two 22-player squads for Germany’s first four Nations League matches under his management.
- When
- The squad gathers on Monday; the first match is on Thursday, followed by a match on Sunday and two further fixtures within nine or 10 days.
- Where
- The squad is gathering in Herzogenaurach; matches include games in Amsterdam and Augsburg, plus fixtures against Serbia and Greece.
- Why
- Klopp wants to experiment, collect information on players, limit their club absences, and begin rebuilding Germany ahead of Euro 2028.
- Coach
- Juergen Klopp took over Germany in July.
- Squad size
- 44 players divided into two squads of 22.
- Competition
- Nations League.
- Opening fixtures
- Netherlands in Amsterdam on Thursday and Greece in Augsburg on Sunday.
- Player allocation
- Jamal Musiala and Joshua Kimmich are set to play in the opening two matches but not the later fixtures against Serbia and Greece.
- Germany’s recent record
- Germany has exited the last three World Cups early and has not won an international title since the 2014 World Cup.
- Long-term target
- Euro 2028.