Since Jurgen Klopp was confirmed as Germany's head coach in July, barely a week has passed without him dominating the headlines — and not always for football reasons.

At his opening news conference, Klopp challenged the media to treat him fairly and leave his family out of any criticism. Last Thursday, at another packed press briefing, he called for what he described as "positive patriotism" against a backdrop of political tension across the country.

"I want it so that when someone waves the flag, no-one thinks: 'What is wrong with you?' Instead, I want people to understand: You are happy and realise how lucky you were to be born, grow up, or move to this wonderful country."

Klopp's comments came in the wake of strong electoral performances by the Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. His words resonated widely in the German media, not least because the national squad itself reflects a diverse, multicultural country — many of its players carry migrant heritage.

More than a football manager

Klopp also pointed to recent German sporting highs — Alexander Zverev's triumph at the US Open, the women's basketball team's run at the European Championship, and medals at the European Athletics Championships — arguing that sport can forge "a sense of community."

Yet the German Football Association (DFB) did not appoint Klopp on a reported £6 million annual salary to deliver social commentary. Their mandate is clear: rebuild a national team that has badly underperformed at recent tournaments.

To that end, Klopp has thrown himself into the role. He has criss-crossed Germany, taking in matches at Borussia Dortmund's Signal Iduna Park, dropping into the VIP lounge at Mainz's ground, and visiting Eintracht Frankfurt's training facilities to speak directly with players.

Two squads, one vision

Klopp's first squad selection reflected his trial-and-error philosophy. He initially drew up a list of 57 candidates before settling on two near-separate groups for the four games in this international break.

The first squad — featuring Joshua Kimmich, Kai Havertz, and Jamal Musiala — faces the Netherlands at Johan Cruyff Arena on Thursday before hosting Greece on Sunday. The second group, built around Florian Wirtz and Aleksandar Pavlovic, takes on Serbia at home and Greece away in the latter half of the break. Only back-up goalkeeper Finn Dahmen appears in both selections.

This split approach means Germany's strongest possible starting XI will not be seen during this window. Instead, Klopp has handed opportunities to players who might not have expected the call-up — among them Felix Keidel, a 23-year-old versatile full-back from recently promoted SV Elversberg, alongside Mika Baur, Bambase Conte, Max Rosenfelder, Philipp Treu, and Vitaly Janelt.

The Klopp blueprint

Klopp has never built winning teams around star names alone. His career is dotted with stories of overlooked talents transformed into world-class performers — Lukasz Piszczek, once an unknown Polish winger, became one of Europe's finest right-backs; Andy Robertson became an undisputed force on Liverpool's left flank.

His approach demands pressing intensity and a focus on wide areas. Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Sadio Mané all thrived in his system at Liverpool FC. In Germany, Cologne's Said El Mala, Bayern Munich teenager Lennart Karl, Freiburg's Derry Scherhant, Barcelona's Karim Adeyemi, and Brentford's Kevin Schade could be the beneficiaries of that same wing-focused philosophy.

The two squads assembled for this break average between 24 and 25 years of age. Manuel Neuer, Antonio Rudiger, and Pascal Gross have all stepped away from international football, and Klopp has signalled that the era of the experienced thirty-somethings is drawing to a close.

"I have the desire to work with guys who cannot wait to wear this jersey," Klopp said. "It could be a bit wild, but I accept that. It just has to be lively."

Gross himself appeared sanguine: "I think it is about time to wish the new generation best of luck," he said after Brighton's win over Arsenal. "There is a change in Germany and rightfully so."

Klopp arrived wearing a cap that read "One of 83 million" — a statement of intent that he wants every German behind this team. The narratives are set. Now comes the football.