Jürgen Klopp's Germany era has started with energy, belief and a dramatic late setback — and defender Jonathan Tah says the players are already ready to give everything for their new coach.

Germany have begun a new chapter under Klopp, but the early days have already brought a mixture of encouragement and concern.

The former Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund and Mainz coach took charge in July following Germany's disappointing World Cup campaign and led his first training session with the national team this week. His opening match ended in a 1–1 draw with the Netherlands in Amsterdam on Thursday, with Germany showing periods of strong intensity before conceding a late equaliser.

Speaking ahead of Sunday's Nations League meeting with Greece in Augsburg, Bayern Munich defender Jonathan Tah praised Klopp's ability to bring players together and create a strong competitive mentality.

“I think after our initial meeting, everyone walked out thinking, ‘Okay, we’re ready to walk through fire together now’,” Tah said, according to the report.

Tah said Klopp's experience, passion and desire to win had already made an impression on the squad.

“He just has this ability to galvanise a team. We’ve seen that in the past too. That’s something he does exceptionally well and I think that’s why he’s been so successful.”

Klopp gets an encouraging but imperfect start

Germany took the lead against the Netherlands through Felix Nmecha in the 32nd minute, but Cody Gakpo scored a late equaliser in the 92nd minute to deny Klopp a winning start.

The performance nevertheless showed some of the characteristics Klopp has been associated with throughout his coaching career, particularly intensity and aggressive work without the ball.

But there were also weaknesses.

Germany struggled for long periods as the Netherlands increased the pressure, and Klopp acknowledged that the team still had problems when old habits returned.

“In the moments when we worked together against the ball, we had some great defensive spells,” Klopp said.
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“Problems arose when old habits crept back in.”

For German supporters, that first performance offered both reasons for optimism and reminders that Klopp has only just begun rebuilding the team.

The new Germany coach has also been forced to adjust his squad after injuries to two important attacking players.

Jamal Musiala suffered a thigh injury during the warm-up before the Netherlands match, while Kai Havertz picked up a muscle injury during the game.

Both players subsequently left the Germany camp and will miss the Greece fixture.

Their absence has forced Klopp to accelerate plans for other players, including Florian Wirtz and Jonathan Burkardt, who were brought into the squad earlier than initially intended.

Wirtz's inclusion is particularly significant because the Liverpool midfielder has faced criticism surrounding his recent form.

Tah defended his teammate and rejected the intensity of the criticism directed at him.

“I find it pretty extreme the way he’s been attacked,” Tah said.

He added:

“I know the kind of player he is and that he’s going to shine even more.”

Tah said he believes Wirtz's ability will eventually become clear to everyone.

Klopp's next test comes on Sunday, September 27, when Germany host Greece in Augsburg in the Nations League.

Greece will arrive with confidence after beating Serbia 2–1 in Belgrade in their opening match, giving them three points in the group.

Germany, meanwhile, enter the match with one point from their draw against the Netherlands.

The result therefore matters beyond Klopp's personal start. Germany are also trying to build momentum in the Nations League while the new coach evaluates his players and establishes his preferred style.

Sunday's match will also have significance in the stands.

Germany's senior men's national team is returning to designated standing sections for home internationals for the first time in more than 25 years.

Germany has a long-standing culture of standing terraces at club level, and the German Football Association is participating in a UEFA project examining the return of standing areas at international matches.

Klopp believes the supporters can have a meaningful effect on the players.

“The atmosphere in the stadium has a dramatic impact on performance,” Klopp said.

“When the right people are standing, the atmosphere is outstanding and the influence is huge.”

For German supporters, Sunday's match therefore offers something different: a new coach, a new atmosphere and the return of a traditional matchday experience that has been absent from the national team for decades.

The German coach has also taken an unusual approach to his first Nations League window.

Rather than relying on one fixed group throughout the international period, Klopp initially selected 44 players across two squads, giving him an opportunity to assess a much larger pool of talent while managing the workload of players.

The current sequence of matches gives him four opportunities to examine his squad:
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- September 24: Netherlands 1–1 Germany
- September 27: Germany vs Greece — Augsburg
- October 1: Germany vs Serbia — Munich
- October 4: Greece vs Germany — Thessaloniki

The approach gives Klopp considerable room to experiment as he works towards establishing his preferred Germany team.

Germany are not simply trying to win individual Nations League matches.

The national team is attempting to rebuild confidence after a difficult period at major tournaments. Germany's early exit from the 2026 World Cup was another disappointing campaign for a country accustomed to competing deep into international tournaments.

Klopp therefore inherits a team that needs results while simultaneously requiring changes in playing style, squad balance and mentality.

The draw in Amsterdam did not provide a victory, but Germany showed enough intensity to give the new era an immediate identity.

Now comes the next test.

Klopp has the players' belief, but injuries and unfinished work mean Germany's transformation is only beginning.

For German fans, Sunday's return of standing sections could make the first home match of the Klopp era a particularly memorable night.