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Klopp says Germany must reclaim national pride from 'wrong people'
Klopp said Germany should embrace national pride without extremism while using a 44-player split squad to evaluate newcomers for four Nations League matches.
On Thursday, Germany head coach Jurgen Klopp advocated for 'positive patriotism' during a press conference at the DFB Campus in Frankfurt, urging Germans to reclaim national pride from extremists.
Klopp's remarks followed the AfD's election victory in Saxony-Anhalt on September 6, when the far-right party trounced mainstream competitors and could form the first far-right state government in postwar Germany.
Wearing an Adidas cap with German flag colors while unveiling a 44-man squad, Klopp argued that pride can coexist with openness: 'Can you be proud to be German and still be open, diverse, nice and friendly?' he asked.
Franziska Hoppermann, secretary general of Chancellor Friedrich Merz's Christian Democrats, welcomed Klopp's stance, telling Reuters: 'We all should, and are allowed to, wear our national colours with pride and confidence as symbols of our freedom.'
The former Liverpool manager begins his tenure against the Netherlands on September 24, aiming to advance his vision of national identity amid ongoing far-right electoral challenges.
Bundestrainer Jürgen Klopp möchte die Deutschland-Fahne zurückholen. Ist das wirklich notwendig? Die AfD verfolgt jedenfalls einen langfristigen Plan. Da kann
The former Liverpool technician made these statements during a press conference in Frankfurt, at which he announced his first call to head the German team.