Jurgen Klopp will attend his first major match in person as Germany’s national coach on Saturday when he watches Borussia Dortmund face Bayern Munich in the German Supercup.
The match is scheduled to begin at 20:30 local time, with Klopp due to be in the stadium as he starts assessing players who could feature for the national team.
Before travelling to watch the game, Klopp will speak to Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovac. The pair have arranged a telephone conversation for Thursday afternoon, with Kovac revealing the plan unexpectedly during his pre-match news conference.
“We expect to talk around 3 PM, I can say that much now. I hope Jurgen isn’t angry that I revealed it early.”
Klopp spent seven years in charge of Borussia Dortmund, from 2008 to 2015, and guided the club to two league titles as well as victory in the German Cup. His knowledge of the club means the conversation with Kovac is expected to be part of the wider cooperation between the Germany coach and Bundesliga managers.
Kovac said the discussion would help Klopp gather the information required before deciding which players to select.
“It’s clear that we will cooperate. Because Jurgen certainly needs to rely on us, and also on the Bundesliga clubs and coaches. He will get the information he needs to make the final decision. Of course, the decision will still be his, but it will also be made in cooperation with us.”
Among the Borussia Dortmund players who could be considered for Germany are midfielder Felix Nmecha, centre-back Waldemar Anton and forward Maximilian Beier.
Club captain Nico Schlotterbeck is not yet available for consideration after suffering a ligament tear during the World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. He has not returned to action.
Kovac and Klopp have known each other since their playing days. Kovac represented Hertha Berlin and Klopp played for Mainz, with the two meeting several times in the 2. Bundesliga.
“We played against each other a few times in Mainz and Berlin back when we were in the 2. Bundesliga. But I don’t remember whose record was better. I don’t think either of us was particularly successful back then.”
Their paths crossed again in 2019, when Kovac’s Bayern Munich played Klopp’s Liverpool in the Champions League. The match was remembered in part because of confusion over an absent handshake.
Klopp said at the time: “I stood there, completely baffled.”
The incident was later explained as a misunderstanding. Kovac also pointed to the outcome of the European meeting, which Liverpool went on to follow by winning the Champions League.
“We faced each other when Bayern played Liverpool, and Liverpool later won the Champions League. Well, everyone knows the result of that. Apart from that, I believe we will have very good cooperation. Jurgen worked at Borussia Dortmund, he knows this club inside out and understands exactly how everything works here. As long as we can help, we will support him.”
Klopp’s visit to Saturday’s match will give him an early opportunity to watch several potential Germany players in a high-profile fixture, while his call with Kovac will begin a relationship he says will be important to the national team’s future decisions.
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