Jürgen Klopp addresses controversial comments surrounding Niclas Füllkrug recall: “I’m obviously not thrilled with those statements.”

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Germany national team head coach Jürgen Klopp has explained his decision to recall Werder Bremen striker Niclas Füllkrug for the upcoming Nations League fixtures against Serbia and the Netherlands. The Bundestrainer also addressed his recent comments about the 33-year-old’s international prospects, revealing that the two had spoken personally well before Thursday’s squad announcement.

Füllkrug returns to the national team for the first time in over a year following an extraordinary start to the 2026/27 Bundesliga campaign. The veteran has scored nine goals in eight league appearances since returning to Bremen, forcing his way back into Germany’s plans despite earlier questions about his age.

As previously reported by Get German Football News, Klopp discussed Füllkrug’s international prospects during his halftime appearance on DAZN‘s broadcast of Bayern Munich’s Champions League encounter with Arsenal in October.

The former Liverpool coach acknowledged the striker’s excellent form but emphasized that Germany’s preparations for Euro 2028 required consideration of both immediate and longer-term objectives. Klopp’s subsequent decision to include Füllkrug in his 24-man November squad has now prompted him to clarify those remarks.

Klopp explains decision to recall Niclas Füllkrug

Speaking in a video interview distributed by the DFB, Klopp emphasized that Füllkrug’s influence at Bremen extends well beyond his impressive goalscoring record.

“Good form and scoring goals are never a bad thing,” Klopp explained. “Fülle has been performing and scoring all kinds of goals, almost all of them spectacular. He has an incredible influence on Werder Bremen, not just through his goals, but also through the way he carries himself.”

Klopp also acknowledged that he was not entirely pleased with some of his previous television comments, although he maintained that his earlier remarks about Füllkrug had been factual. Klopp found it necessary to clear the air with the striker himself before assembling his latest squad.

“We’d talked about each other so much that I thought we might as well talk to each other,” Klopp explained. “I’m obviously not thrilled with the statements I made in that half-time interview, but what I said about Fülle were just facts.”

Klopp also made clear that the striker’s age would not prevent him from earning an international place if his current form warranted selection.

“If the European Championship were tomorrow, we’d naturally take him. There’s no question about that,” Klopp said. “From that perspective, the nomination was relatively easy. It was a pleasure to make the decision and a pleasure to tell him.”

Füllkrug, who has scored 14 goals in 24 senior international appearances, welcomed the opportunity to represent Germany again.

“I’m delighted about the nomination,” the Bremen striker said in comments released by his club. “I’ve benefited from the good performances of our team, and I see it as wonderful recognition for the entire squad.”

GGFN | Peter Weis