Thomas Müller knew something was different. Not just the size—though that alone was unprecedented—but the sheer audacity of the approach. The Bayern Munich icon, who spent months alongside Klopp as a pundit during the World Cup, found himself watching from the sidelines as the coach reshaped expectations before a single match had even been played.
“Kloppo immediately did something unusual,” Müller wrote, emphasising the scale of the decision. “No one saw that coming.” The traditional Germany squad—tight, methodical, built around a core of proven stars—had been the norm for decades. But Klopp, ever the disruptor, opted for an XXL framework, splitting the group into two distinct units for his first four international fixtures. The logic? To give more players a chance to impress, to identify hidden gems before the pressure of a full squad intensifies. Müller, who knows Klopp’s tactical mind better than most, acknowledged the merit in the strategy. “That way, right at the start of his time in office, he can give many players the chance to present themselves in the national team,” he noted.
Yet the shift hasn’t come without friction. Just months earlier, Müller and Klopp were still collaborating as a duo for MagentaTV during the World Cup—a partnership that ended abruptly with Klopp’s appointment as Germany’s head coach. Now, Müller watches as a spectator, his role reduced to that of a critic rather than a participant. “And above all, there is one thing I am—curious to see how he will approach it,” he admitted. The question isn’t just about the squad’s composition but Klopp’s ability to leave a lasting imprint on the national team’s identity. Müller, who has spent his career under the tutelage of coaches like Pep Guardiola and Hansi Flick, understands the stakes. “What I generally expect from coaches is that a clear signature is visible,” he said. “I like one better, perhaps another less. That is normal and initially—it’s about finding the right balance.”
The debate over Klopp’s methods is already underway. Critics argue that such a large squad risks dilution, that the national team’s strength lies in its cohesion rather than its depth. But Müller, ever pragmatic, sees an opportunity. “Initially, it’s about finding the right balance,” he allowed, hinting at the trial-and-error phase that lies ahead. The next few months will determine whether Klopp’s bold experiment pays off—or if Germany’s traditionalists demand a return to the familiar. One thing is certain: the era of the 44-man squad has arrived, and Müller, for one, is watching closely to see how it unfolds.
