Matthias Sammer believes Jurgen Klopp cannot yet transfer the full impact he had at club level to the Germany national team, warning that the demands of international management may delay the arrival of his influence.
Sammer, who won the 1996 European Championship with Germany, said Klopp faced a particularly difficult international break as he prepared for his second gathering since taking charge of the national side.
Germany will play two Nations League – League A fixtures during the current camp. They travel to face Serbia on Friday, 13 November 2026, before hosting Netherlands in Berlin on Monday, 16 November.
Speaking to Sky, Sammer identified Klopp’s greatest strength as the daily work he could carry out at clubs, particularly his ability to develop players within a clearly defined tactical approach.
“I think it is extremely difficult for him at the moment because his greatest strength lies in working every day and developing players in the way he wants them to play, but he does not have that time now,” Sammer said.
The former Germany midfielder added that Klopp had not yet been able to reproduce the full force of his coaching methods with the national team.
“He still cannot transfer all of his strength as a national-team coach compared with his spells at clubs,” Sammer said.
Sammer expects Klopp’s impact to take longer to become evident and believes it is too early to demand an immediate transformation from the former club manager.
“I cannot expect too much at the moment. The immediate impact Jurgen always had when he was managing a club is not possible yet, so I think it will take some time,” he said.
Germany’s results during the previous international break in September did not surprise Sammer. Klopp’s side recorded a victory over Serbia, but also lost to Greece in Augsburg. They drew with Netherlands and with Greece in Thessaloniki.
Klopp and the German Football Association will hope for stronger results from the two upcoming fixtures, beginning with the trip to Serbia before the visit of Netherlands to Berlin.
The Germany manager is currently working with a squad of 24 players. That is a reduction from the unusually large group of 44 players he handled during the previous exceptional international gathering.
Germany’s meetings with Serbia and Netherlands form part of the Nations League – League A schedule, with the first match taking place on 13 November and the second on 16 November.
