The former Borussia Dortmund manager, Jurgen Klopp believes that Germany may be the current world champions but its attacking players lack the technique to properly head a football.
The 48-year-old who is currently the manager of Liverpool was seen talking with a couple of grassroots level football coaches in a ‘Breakfast with Klopp’ episode which is a product of the Subway's official partnership with the Merseyside club.
“In Germany, we had a problem a few years ago, it feels really long ago. Everybody said 'good character, good mentality but not the best technicians'. Something like hard football, really physical,” Klopp was heard saying.
“Now, we have so many, so many, unbelievable skilled players. All of them offensive players, and not one of these can make a header. It is like we forgot it,” he added.
Kloppo – as he is more popularly known to his fans – believes that a number of German internationals like Andre Schurrle, Marco Reus and Mesut Ozil provide Joachim Low's Germany with a lot of 'genius’ technical ability but they have failed to utilise their heights to the team's benefit.
Incidentally, Jurgen Klopp had managed Marco Reus during his Borussia Dortmund days and the duo was highly instrumental in the club's success in the Bundesliga for a couple of straight years in the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons.
“So we create, we help them developing, play in small spaces, making this, the quick players here. And we took always the tall players like (Andre) Schurrle, (Mesut) Ozil, Marco Reus, they are all six foot or something like this, so a good size for an offensive player,” the Reds manager continued.
“But (if) they were a striker... no header. (They) needed a bit of space, position back and then they could play what they play and they are really, really a genius in their style. But if the ball is in the air (mimics them ducking the ball) they are all like this. And you think 'my god we forgot how big headers (are). So it is our responsibility to help players find the right position.”
The Liverpool manager was also jokingly heard saying that he seldom asks his players about their opinions on the game since their suggestions meet Klopp's approval once in a blue moon.
"Don't ask your team. Don't ask your team something! It is something really rare you get the answer you want,” Klopp said before breaking into his trademark laughter.
