Jurgen Klopp has told Jamal Musiala to focus on his recovery and reassured the Bayern Munich midfielder that the door to the Germany squad remains open.
Klopp, who is now Germany manager, described Musiala’s current situation as “a situation nobody would wish on anyone” as he attended the opening night of the Bundesliga season at Allianz Arena on Friday.
The stadium hosted Bayern Munich’s emphatic 5-1 victory over VfB Stuttgart, but Musiala’s recent health problems were the main subject of Klopp’s comments. The 23-year-old has been dealing with difficulties that prompted the Germany manager to contact him directly.
Klopp explained that he chose to send a voice message because Musiala did not know him personally and would not have recognised his telephone number.
“I sent him a voice message. Because he doesn’t know me at all, and therefore he doesn’t know my number. If I had called him, I would probably have kept ringing him for three days, and I don’t think he would have answered,” Klopp said.
Musiala, who has won 46 international caps for Germany, replied to the message soon afterwards.
Speaking to Sky Sport Germany, Klopp said the purpose of the message was to encourage the young midfielder and remove any concern that his current condition could affect his international future.
“It was, of course, a message of encouragement for a young man like Jamal,” Klopp said. “In the end, everything will be fine. Almost everyone agrees on that, but it is not like that at this moment.”
“I wanted to take away at least this one worry from him: whether it would have any impact on his position with the Germany team. That is, of course, not the case. I cannot take away more than that.”
Klopp added that Musiala had returned to peak fitness, according to Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany.
“He has come back to the top of his fitness, and Vincent Kompany confirmed that to me. His physical condition is exceptional,” Klopp said.
The Germany manager believes patience is now the most important factor for Musiala, who has established himself as one of the country’s most important attacking players.
“We have to give him the time he needs, and he also has to give himself that time,” Klopp said. “Because young players, in truth, do not have many problems apart from becoming impatient. At a stage like this, you certainly must not lose patience.”
Klopp also expressed confidence that Musiala is in the right surroundings to continue his recovery at Bayern Munich.
“But I think he is at the ideal club and in the ideal environment,” he said. “We want to contribute to that ideal environment and simply say: ‘Come on, boy, recover!’ After that, the door is open.”
Klopp will announce his first Germany squad on 17 September, before the team meets to prepare for the start of the Nations League. Germany are scheduled to play the Netherlands on 24 September, Greece on 27 September and Serbia on 1 October, before facing Greece again on 4 October.
Musiala’s recovery will therefore be closely followed ahead of Klopp’s first squad announcement, although the manager made clear that no pressure is being placed on the player to return before he is ready.
