Klopp to attend World Cup in different role, says he's eager to watch Scotland vs Brazil

Klopp said in an interview with Bild that he would participate in the World Cup in another capacity, and said that the game he was most looking forward to was Scotland vs. Brazil.

Nagelsmann will announce the German team's World Cup roster in two weeks. What are your expectations for this team?

To be honest, I'm not sure! We have a great coach and a decent team. However, several key positions in the team still urgently need reliable players. For example, Havertz, who is now recovering his form, is crucial to the German team. We simply don't have six or seven or more high-quality candidates to choose from in many positions. As long as everyone is healthy, Germany is definitely a strong team. We shouldn't forget the 2024 European Cup: if the referee had called Cucurella's handball foul, the direction of that tournament would have been completely different. That cup proved that we have the ability to break through in major competitions, just like Argentina in 2022. France had a better game at the time, but in the end, pragmatic play had the last laugh.

Can German fans hope to celebrate and witness the national team win the World Cup?

Anything is possible! But I can easily name ten teams that are equally likely to win the championship. In this top competition, luck is the first element, and everyone must stay away from injuries before and during the event. The second is hard power. Our lineup advantage is not obvious. Argentina, France, Spain, and England, these veteran world champions are all on the list, the Netherlands is also strong, and Portugal may also become a dark horse. Norway, with Haaland, is ushering in a golden generation and has recently defeated many giants in a row, and has great potential.

There has been a lot of controversy surrounding Undav recently. What do you think?

The team has plenty of forwards to choose from. I don't want to get involved in this public discussion, which is already a hot topic. I knew Undav when I was at Brighton. His career has not been smooth sailing, and his success has been achieved through his own hard work. I admire his style of play.

Which World Cup in the past forty years has impressed you the most and you have a special liking for?

My earliest memory is the 1974 World Cup, Germany vs. Chile, and I still remember Paul Breitner's long shot. There are also memories of the entire 90s. At that time, I lived and studied in Frankfurt, and became a father at a young age. In 1990, Andi Brehme's goal helped Germany reach the top of the world; the 2014 victory was also unforgettable. I have always loved watching World Cup events.

In your opinion, who are the top three favorites to win this World Cup?

I can't just list three strong teams, there are too many favorites. There are many variables in the competition: the state of the opening, the ability to resist pressure and adjust, all affect the fate. No champion team can go smoothly all the way, and every game is a tough battle.

You just mentioned Haaland, will Norway be the biggest dark horse in this tournament?

There are many kinds of dark horses: breaking through the group stage, entering the top four, and impacting the final, the definitions are different. We should focus on the British teams, they have abundant talent reserves, as long as they are well-integrated and adjusted, they will definitely go far. Scotland has a unique style and can always cause trouble for opponents in various ways, and its strength should not be underestimated. But after the quarter-finals, it is still the world of giants and favorites to win the championship.

Will there be a chance to return to the World Cup as a coach in the future?

Fortunately, I don't have to make a decision now. There are countless ways to ask this question, and I don't have a standard answer. I will participate in this World Cup in a completely new capacity, not the coaching role that everyone thinks, and I am full of expectations for this.

The talent reserves in British football are extremely abundant. What have they done right? How should Germany improve its youth training and expand its talent pool?

Talent cultivation is not achieved overnight and requires long-term efforts. France and Spain have always had huge reserves of talent. We have already realized the problem and started reforms to provide more support for young players. Perhaps Nagelsmann does not have forty or fifty top alternative national players to choose from, but the situation is improving and I see progress every day. Musiala and Wirtz are already top young talents in world football. We also continue to explore and cultivate new stars by building new U21 leagues and other means. To be honest, Italy, which is now in deep trouble, is probably very envious of our situation.

This World Cup is the first to expand to 48 teams, and the schedule is extended to six weeks. What does this mean for the head coach?

The number of games has not increased significantly, but the cycle is longer and there are more challenges. Players need to withstand huge consumption, so they must be given free time to relax: watching movies, eating out, and relaxing appropriately. The outcome of the competition depends on attitude, fighting spirit and resilience. A long schedule can allow the team to integrate and unite better, but if the state is not good, the problems will be magnified. For coaches, the pressure of overall coordination and management increases sharply. This is the first super-long World Cup in history, and there is no past experience to follow. High temperatures, climate, and complex environments are all tests. For me, this is also like a six-week collective training camp.

Have you ever dreamed of watching a World Cup game leisurely in a bar without being disturbed by the outside world?

Of course I would like to, it would be very pleasant, but it is basically impossible to achieve. The match I am most looking forward to is Scotland vs. Brazil. The collision of two completely different football styles will be very exciting.

If you were to wear a German team jersey, which Muller's name would you print on the back?

Just print Muller!

Which Muller specifically?

You can just imagine it, even Dieter Muller.