Klopp to hold first Germany squad meeting on Sept 20; Rüdiger hints at national team retirement

For weeks it was just a formality: Jürgen Klopp is the new coach of the German national team – and faces questions from journalists at the DFB press conference.

Jürgen Klopp is still allowed to catch his breath before taking on his great mission: leading the German national team back to the top of the world. The first meetings with his coaching team are planned for mid-August in Frankfurt. The vision of how Klopp wants to implement his "Heavy Metal" football with the national team already exists.

Klopp has obtained the phone numbers of the national players to get in touch with them individually. At the DFB, he has already outlined part of his game philosophy. The following key points await the players when Klopp calls them together on September 20 for the upcoming international matches:

• Gegenpressing
• Being more active
• In duels, national players must prove themselves more resilient than recently
• The entire team must defend together in the future

Key Player Decisions Remain Unclear

Which key players Klopp wants to rely on remains the big secret. Player discussions are just beginning. The professionals themselves are also deliberately holding back. So far, none of the World Cup participants have publicly announced their retirement from the national team. Everyone is waiting.

According to information from "Sport Bild," one professional at least hinted internally at the DFB about his retirement after his 86th international match: Antonio Rüdiger (33) let it be known directly after the World Cup exit in the round of 32 against Paraguay in Boston, in the locker room, that he intended to end his DFB career. However, the decision has not yet been finalized. Meanwhile, Rüdiger is also leaving it open again whether he might continue with the DFB under Klopp.

Will Rüdiger remain a national player? Source: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Winslow Townson

Klopp has also remained silent about his plans with Joshua Kimmich (31). There has been neither confirmation of his captain's role nor a statement on whether the national coach sees the Bayern professional as a central midfielder or as a right-back. From Kimmich's side, there is said to be full understanding that the national coach is keeping all options open.

Five Coaches Allowed to Stay Under Klopp

Klopp brought Peter Krawietz, Pepijn Lijnders, and Sven Bender into his team as assistant coaches. In contrast, assistants Benjamin Glück and Benjamin Hübner from predecessor Julian Nagelsmann's staff had to leave.

Allowed to stay as DFB employees are:

• Set-piece coach: Mads Buttgereit
• Goalkeeping coaches: Andreas Kronenberg and Stefan Wessels
• Athletic coaches: Nicklas Dietrich and Krunoslav Banovcic

Goalkeeping Situation: A Tricky Decision

Especially regarding the personnel of Kronenberg, Klopp will have to make a tricky decision. What does the future look like in the German goal? Kronenberg is considered a big supporter of Marc-André ter Stegen (34), who could not play in the World Cup due to injuries. However, the keeper's club future remains unclear. Under Barça coach Hansi Flick (61), he has no chance. But since the verbally agreed transfer to Ajax Amsterdam has not yet been completed, ter Stegen initially traveled with his club FC Barcelona to the summer training camp in Birmingham.

Völler Supports Klopp Behind the Scenes

While Klopp makes preparations behind the scenes, DFB sports director Rudi Völler keeps the national coach's back free. On Monday, Völler stepped in for a stage discussion at the BDFL (German Association of Football Teachers) International Coaches' Congress in Mainz.