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Jurgen Klopp has hit out at the 'pathetic' German media for leaking his first international squad announcement as Germany head coach.
Klopp, who was unveiled as the national side's new boss in July following a two-year break from the dugout after leaving Liverpool, has announced a 44-man split squad, which will be used across four Nations League fixtures.
The unusually large squad will be separated into two to handle an extended three-week international break, as they face Netherlands, Greece and Serbia.
Star players such as Florian Wirtz, Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala have been split up, with the Liverpool man selected for the second set of games, while the latter pair will play the first two matches.
There was no place for Stuttgart striker Deniz Undav, who was Germany's top scorer during the World Cup with three goals. However, Klopp did call up 23-year-old talent Felix Keidel, who plays for Bundesliga newcomers SV Elversberg, for his maiden international squad.
The news of Keidel's inclusion was leaked by the press before the official squad announcement, and Klopp took the opportunity to lay into reporters during his press conference on Wednesday.
Jurgen Klopp hit out at German media for leaking some his first Germany squad before the announcement
It was revealed that 23-year-old talent Felix Keidel was getting his first call up
Klopp said: 'I spoke to Felix Keidel again last night and asked him what the last 16 or 17 hours had been like after someone leaked that he will be in the squad. And by the way, I can say that I don't give a damn that it came out early.
'I have absolutely no problem with that. I just think it's a bit pathetic to make a living by putting things out there earlier than people actually need to know them. But whatever.'
Klopp displayed a message on his baseball cap stating 'one of 83 million' in the colours of the German flag, which could be deemed a political statement following the AfD's recent election victory in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt.
'We need to rediscover the fun in all of this. I hope I won't have to talk about political matters in the future. But I want to reclaim the flag for us. So that people feel happy and fortunate to live in this wonderful country.
'I don't want to leave national pride to the wrong people. It fills me with pride to do this job. When we spend time focused on football, it's meant to foster a sense of community and make us feel better. We have to create that atmosphere. But we also need people who embrace it.'
The 59-year-old is back in the manager's hot seat, having enjoyed a stint overseeing Red Bull's football operation after leaving Anfield in 2024, and has been tasked with turning the national team around after another disappointing major tournament.
Klopp donned a cap that read 'one of 83 million' and said he wanted to 'reclaim the flag'
Julian Nagelsmann was given his marching orders after the Germans crashed out to Paraguay in the Round of 32 of the World Cup.
The early exit led to an inquest into the team's performance – where the players' WAGs and families were placed under the spotlight.
Nagelsmann's partner also made headlines, with German media reporting that his girlfriend, Lena Wurzenberger, was an almost constant presence in the camp.
But Klopp set his stall in a robust unveiling two months ago, insisting that he will quit the job immediately if his family faces any scrutiny.
'The day you don't want me anymore, you say so, and I'm gone, without severance pay,' he said via Bild.
'If you say tomorrow that he's rubbish, I'm gone. Not just one person; it would have to be more than that. If the DFB says he's rubbish, I'm gone. If you behave badly and don't leave my family in peace, I'm gone.'
Klopp's first game as manager will come against the Netherlands on September 24, before his side takes on Greece for the first of two occasions just three days later.
The former Liverpool boss will then switch to his second squad for a clash with Serbia on October 1 before they play Greece again on October 4.
