Klopp terminates interview over Schweinsteiger’s Ivory Coast remarks
Jürgen Klopp’s abrupt departure from a Deutsche Welle huddle in New York highlights tensions surrounding media coverage of Germany’s World Cup campaign.
Former Liverpool manager and current World Cup pundit Jürgen Klopp concluded a media interaction in New York on Wednesday after being pressed on controversial comments made by former Germany international Bastian Schweinsteiger. The incident occurred during a huddle with journalists, where Klopp, who is working for broadcaster Magenta, expressed clear reluctance to engage with the topic before departing.
The questioning was initiated by Deutsche Welle, which sought Klopp’s reaction to remarks Schweinsteiger made for German broadcaster ARD prior to Germany’s match against Ivory Coast. Schweinsteiger had characterised the African team’s playing style as "a bit African football, a bit unorthodox, a bit wild, a bit perhaps also not so conditioned by tactics," adding that Germany needed to be prepared for unpredictability.
Klopp appeared visibly taken aback by the line of questioning. He stated that he had felt fortunate to have avoided the subject until that moment, noting, "Thank God, I thought, nobody asked me about that. You found a moment." He emphasised the sensitivity of the issue, stating, "It’s not my job that everybody likes it, but this is a serious subject, and I don’t even know what is appropriate to say."
The pundit further contextualised his refusal to comment by distinguishing between perspectives, remarking, "For African people it’s one thing, for other people it’s another thing, and I’m not here." He concluded the exchange with an ironic observation directed at the interviewer, saying, "And surprisingly, you are German. That surprised me so much," before leaving the scene.
The controversy arises in the context of Germany’s World Cup group stage, where they secured top spot after defeating Ivory Coast 2-1. Germany came from a goal down, with Franck Kessie giving Ivory Coast a first-half lead, before Denis Undav scored a brace, including a stoppage-time winner, to secure the victory.
Germany is scheduled to face Ecuador on Thursday evening, aiming for a third consecutive win. Ecuador, who lost their opening game to Ivory Coast and drew with Curacao, require a victory to maintain their hopes of progressing to the last-32.
