Klopp as Germany’s national team coach? Bayern boss Hainer weighs in | OneFootball

For a long time, FC Bayern officials had remained silent on the impending appointment of Jürgen Klopp as the new German national team coach. Now, for the first time, a top official from the record-holding champions has spoken out—and left no doubt about how highly he regards the 59-year-old.

Herbert Hainer spoke publicly for the first time on Wednesday in Munich about Klopp’s appointment. The Bayern president sees the former successful coach of Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool FC as exactly the right man to lead the German national team back to success after the disappointing tournaments of recent years.

“What we need now is motivation, a fresh start, and a positive atmosphere. We do have good soccer players, and everything needs to be organized. And I believe that Jürgen Klopp is absolutely the right person for the job,” Hainer explained.

“He can win people over to his ideas.”

The Bayern president particularly highlighted Klopp’s ability to inspire teams and those around them. “Klopp is a people person at every level: players, staff, fans. He can do that,” Hainer said, adding: “He can win people over. He can win people over to his ideas. He can inspire them and the team so much that they take the field giving more than 100 percent.”

For Hainer, there is therefore no question that Klopp is the right choice for the DFB. “That’s why he’s a good fit for this high office.”

Hainer hopes for a fresh start at the DFB

Photo: Getty Images

Hainer spoke candidly about the German national team’s performance on the field. In his view, a negative trend has developed following the team’s disappointing performances at recent World Cups.

“After three consecutive World Cup failures, a sense of stagnation has settled over the German national team,” said the Bayern boss. This makes it all the more important to have a coach who can spark new enthusiasm: “And if there’s one thing Jürgen Klopp can do, it’s create a sense of renewal—he’s proven that at every club he’s coached. From Mainz to Dortmund to Liverpool. He’s been very successful everywhere. He’s rallied the fans. He’s rallied the players. He’s rallied the entire club. That would be good for the DFB, too.”

In closing, Hainer also spoke as a soccer fan about the national team’s recent setbacks. “It breaks my heart when Germany is eliminated in the round of 32 or, as in the two previous World Cups, in the group stage. We’re the world’s largest soccer association, we’ve won the World Cup many times, and we’ve seen some great games. As fans, we’d love to see that again.”

With his clear endorsement, Hainer is the first representative of FC Bayern to publicly back the designated national team coach—and in doing so, he’s likely speaking for many German soccer fans.