New appointed German Senior Men’s National Team Jürgen Klopp has started putting his stamp on the German national team, introducing new regulations covering meals, mobile phones, family visits and hairdresser appointments.
According to German reports, the changes are designed to create greater togetherness within the squad.
One of the new rules concerns meal times. Unlike under former coach Julian Nagelsmann, when players could arrive at dinner within a set period, Klopp reportedly wants the entire squad to eat together at either 7pm or 8pm. The idea is to give the players and coaching staff more time to interact with one another.
Klopp has also introduced restrictions on mobile phone use. Players are reportedly not allowed to use their phones during match-day warm-ups or while receiving massages. Instead, they are encouraged to communicate with their teammates.
However, there is no general phone ban at the team hotel.
Another change concerns hairdresser visits. Players will no longer be allowed to have hairdressers visit them at the team hotel or training camp. Those who want a haircut are expected to take care of it before joining the national team.
Family visits have also been restricted. Under Nagelsmann, players’ families were reportedly allowed to visit the team camp more freely. Klopp has now limited such visits to occasional occasions, with the focus instead being on helping the squad develop as a united group.
The reports say Klopp and his coaching staff had already worked on the new guidelines during a meeting in Blankenhain in August.
The changes come as Klopp prepares for his first competitive matches as Germany coach, with his side set to begin their Nations League campaign against the Netherlands tomorrow.
Klopp returned to the touchline two years after stepping down as Liverpool manager and has taken over from Julian Nagelsmann, who previously served as Germany’s head coach.
