“It doesn’t matter at all”: Klopp counters Hoeneß’s criticism with a clear statement | OneFootball

Jürgen Klopp has responded to Uli Hoeneß’s criticism of his new structure at the DFB. Ahead of the Bundesliga opener between FC Bayern and VfB Stuttgart, the new national team coach was asked on Sky about the statements made by the Bayern chairman—and in particular about the role of his longtime confidant, Marc Kosicke.

Hoeneß had recently questioned Kosicke’s involvement. Although Klopp’s longtime advisor and confidant is not set to become a traditional DFB employee, he is expected to have extensive access, according to DFB President Bernd Neuendorf.

For Hoeneß, this arrangement is problematic. “I don’t know exactly what he’s supposed to do there. I think that’s a problem,” the 74-year-old explained on Sky/RTL. He was even more explicit regarding the overall restructuring: “This is a friendly takeover. Klopp and Co. have taken over the DFB, and I think that’s wrong.”

Klopp reacts calmly to Hoeneß’s criticism

Klopp himself apparently isn’t too bothered by the criticism. When asked how the Bayern honorary president’s comments had affected him, he replied: “Yeah, not at all. It doesn’t matter one bit. I totally get it. Everything’s fine. People are judging things before we’ve even done anything.”

The fact that Kosicke, in particular, is viewed critically comes as no surprise to the 59-year-old. After all, a structure has been created at the DFB that has never existed in this form before.

“In my case, most people tend to give me a bit of premature praise. And Marc is viewed with a bit of skepticism because the role didn’t exist before,” Klopp explained.

The national team coach also referred to the discussions that took place before he took office. At the time, people had repeatedly argued that simply changing coaches wouldn’t be enough to bring about lasting change at the DFB.

Klopp therefore countered: “Beforehand, people said, ‘You can’t just change the coach.’ So we’re not just changing the coach, and then they’ll say, ‘You didn’t have to do that now either.’”

Kosicke’s influence is expected to be visible “in a year”

Photo: IMAGO

Klopp has no doubt whatsoever that bringing in his longtime confidant was the right decision. “I’m certain: In a year, we won’t be discussing his role anymore, because by then his influence will be evident,” the new national team coach clarified.

Klopp and Kosicke have been working together for about two decades. The former Liverpool and Dortmund coach sees his longtime colleague not merely as a personal confidant, but as someone who brings skills that he himself lacks.

“I’m a specialist in certain areas. And in other areas, there are better people. One of them is Marc Kosicke. That’s why he’s on the staff,” Klopp explained.

Kosicke is just one part of the new team surrounding the national team coach. Sven Bender, Peter Krawietz, and Pepijn Lijnders are also part of the staff.

Criticism from Munich is likely to continue to dog DFB officials for the time being. Klopp himself, however, apparently wants the new structure to be judged by its results. According to his clear prediction, the discussion about Kosicke’s role should have resolved itself within a year at the latest.