Klopp and Xavi begin their rebuild with Germany vs Netherlands derby

Jürgen Klopp and Xavi Hernández meet this Thursday in Nations League action with a shared aim: to reset after disappointing World Cups. Klopp, speaking about his counterpart, said they are in “the exact same situation”, adding that they met on Monday and play on Thursday, with both coaches knowing players mainly from television. He even joked that he personally knows more Dutch players than Xavi does, while admitting it’s unclear whether that really matters. The key theme is rebuilding, with a first statement game against a familiar rival.

Two projects, same test

Klopp took charge of Germany in July and, in the article’s telling, has brought noticeable energy compared to the flatter vibe many saw at his unveiling earlier in his previous global role at Red Bull. The German federation’s decision to land Klopp is described as a coup, even though it came with an immediate request that media attention not chase his family.

Xavi’s Amsterdam arrival is framed as equally intriguing. The Guardian notes he is the Netherlands’ first foreign manager since Ernst Happel’s ten-month spell ended in 1978, and that the fit feels pleasing with the Johan Cruyff school—especially compared with the speculation around other top targets after Ronald Koeman’s departure.

Big squad rotation

Klopp’s biggest practical decision is the size of his group: 44 players are called up for matches versus the Netherlands, Serbia, and Greece (both home and away). The pool will be split in two: half will play on Thursday and in Germany’s next match against Greece, while the remaining group is used for the last two fixtures. The only player expected to cover all four games is goalkeeper Finn Dahmen.

As Klopp put it, there is no “A or B team”: squads are chosen to make sense on the pitch and also around character and experience. The selection mixes experience with fresh faces—16 are uncapped—and includes the return of Borussia Dortmund’s Joey Veerman, who hasn’t featured for more than two years. New first call-ups mentioned include Mika Baur and Hoffenheim winger Bambasé Conté, alongside Vitaly Janelt, who joins team-mate Kevin Schade.

For the Netherlands, Xavi avoids looking back at performances in the United States, sticking to the line that “I don’t talk about the past”. The captain Virgil van Dijk will continue despite considering international retirement over the summer, with squad options potentially improving once Frenkie de Jong and Donyell Malen return from injury. The Guardian’s bottom line: Germany and the Netherlands both start with real reconstruction work—and this derby becomes the first checkpoint.