Jürgen Klopp’s managerial debut as Germany head coach took an early nightmarish turn during Thursday evening’s UEFA Nations League 2026/27 Group A2 fixture against the Netherlands. Already dealing with a last-minute tactical reshape after Jamal Musiala pulled out of the starting lineup shortly before kick-off, Klopp was forced into another major tactical disruption before half an hour had even elapsed. Arsenal forward Kai Havertz went down on the turf, forcing the national team’s medical staff to signal for an immediate substitution in the 30th minute.
The 27-year-old striker clutched the back of his thigh right before sinking to the ground, heavily indicating that muscular problems forced his premature exit from the pitch. However, questions remain over an earlier physical collision that left Havertz visibly hobbling. Dutchman Quinten Timber, the Crystal Palace midfielder, caught Havertz with a nasty kick above the knee earlier in the half. Whether that heavy blow directly contributed to the muscular distress or if it was an unrelated issue remains unclear while a precise diagnosis of the injury is still pending. Havertz’s withdrawal made way for Eintracht Frankfurt forward Younes Ebnoutalib, who stepped onto the pitch to make his international debut under extreme pressure.
For Germany, these fresh physical setbacks mirror a persistent pattern of bad luck that previously plagued former boss Julian Nagelsmann during his turbulent tenure. Nagelsmann found himself under immense scrutiny after disappointing campaign runs, where injuries repeatedly derailed team momentum. Before major tournament action, Germany lost Serge Gnabry to injury, followed by Bayern teenager Lennart Karl suffering a major blow in Chicago just days before matchplay began. Furthermore, Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck—an integral pillar of the national setup—was ruled out for months during the first half of a match against Ivory Coast.
Nagelsmann’s decisions, including recalling 40-year-old goalkeeper Manuel Neuer—whose shootout save against Paraguay failed to permanently solve underlying tactical issues—and making heavy rotations against Ecuador that wiped away team momentum, ultimately kept pressure mounting on the DFB hierarchy. Although Klopp, who began working with Red Bull in early 2025, initially shut down speculation linking him to the national team job when touted as the prime candidate to replace Nagelsmann, he eventually assumed the hotseat. Now leading the DFB team against Oranje, Klopp finds himself immediately navigating the same availability crises that haunted his predecessor.
With Musiala unavailable at short notice and Havertz now awaiting medical assessment on both his thigh and knee, Klopp’s early tenure is being tested right out of the gate. As Ebnoutalib gets his first taste of international football, the DFB medical team will work around the clock to determine the extent of Havertz’s injury. Navigating the Nations League Group A2 campaign against formidable opponents like the Netherlands demands full squad depth, and Klopp will need swift answers regarding his primary attacking options.
