Klopp says Germany must 'reclaim the flag' after AfD result in Saxony-Anhalt

Jurgen Klopp, the new Germany coach and former Liverpool manager (2015 to 2024), told reporters on 17 September at a news conference unveiling his first squad that his team could help ensure "national pride is not entrusted to the wrong people" after the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) won 43.8% of the vote in Saxony-Anhalt.

The AfD's 43.8% share in the eastern state fell just short of an absolute majority in the regional parliament, and the party is expecting strong results in elections on Sunday in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Klopp said he was not a political "expert" but framed his remarks in terms of national identity and belonging.

Addressing public reaction to the election, Klopp said: "We had an election where some people may have thought it was OK, while others were saying, 'my God, what is happening here?'" He added: "From my perspective as a sportsman, I can say that I would very much like to reclaim the flag for myself, for all of us." Klopp went on: "I want it so that when someone waves it, no one thinks: 'What is wrong with you?' Instead, I want people to understand: You are happy and realise how lucky you were to be born, grow up, or move to this wonderful country."

On the subject of national sentiment, Klopp said: "I do not want to entrust national pride to the wrong people," and explained he preferred the term "positive patriotism" to "national pride", which he feared could be misunderstood. He stated: "I can be proud to be German while also being open-minded and diverse, and kind and friendly."

Klopp also commented on public services and sport, saying it was more important that the country had enough doctors and caregivers, while arguing that football could "foster a sense of community, so that people can truly feel the power of sport".

As part of his first squad announcement, Klopp named 16 uncapped players within a 44-man selection for four Nations League matches to be played over the space of two weeks. A group of 24 players will be available for the fixtures against the Netherlands in Amsterdam on 24 September and at home to Greece in Augsburg on 27 September; most of those players will then return to their clubs while a second group of 20 will join before the October fixtures.

The second set of matches sees Germany face Serbia in Munich on 1 October and Greece in Thessaloniki on 4 October. The initial 24-man group includes the Premier League trio Kai Havertz (Arsenal), Kevin Schade (Brentford) and Anton Stach (Leeds), and Jamal Musiala was selected after twice collapsing during pre-season games for Bayern Munich.

Brentford's Vitaly Janelt received his first senior call-up as part of the second group, which also contains Florian Wirtz (Liverpool) and Malick Thiaw (Newcastle). Klopp's appointment followed coach Julian Nagelsmann's departure after Germany's second-round exit against Paraguay at this summer's World Cup; goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and defender Antonio Rudiger retired from international duty after that tournament, and Klopp had been working as global head of soccer for Red Bull prior to taking the Germany job.

Klopp's first match in charge will be against the Netherlands in Amsterdam on 24 September, followed three days later by the home game with Greece in Augsburg.