Jürgen Klopp and Xavi lead Germany and Netherlands into new era

Jürgen Klopp and Xavi Hernández meet in the Nations League as both managers take charge of their national teams following disappointing World Cups.

Germany's Massive Squad

Klopp took the Germany role in July after his energy had drained by the end of his time at Liverpool. Securing him was a major coup for the German football federation, though he warned he would leave if his family were hounded by the media. Raising eyebrows across the sport, Klopp named a massive squad of 44 players for matches against the Netherlands, Serbia, and home-and-away fixtures against Greece. This expanded unit will be split in two, with different groups playing separate games, though Augsburg goalkeeper Finn Dahmen is required across the set. Klopp stated he wants to get to know as many players as possible and that there is no distinct A or B team. His sprawling selection includes four players from Freiburg, Felix Keidel from promoted Elversberg, Mika Baur of Celtic, Hoffenheim winger Bambasé Conté, and Brentford midfielder Vitaly Janelt alongside teammate Kevin Schade. Sixteen players in the squad are uncapped. Last weekend, Klopp and his staff met at their headquarters in Herzogenaurach to watch domestic games, with Freiburg newcomer Max Rosenfelder describing Klopp as a very special person. Alongside football, Klopp recently made a timely intervention supporting positive patriotism following an election victory by the anti-immigration Alternative für Deutschland party in Saxony-Anhalt.

The Dutch Revival

Xavi arrives in Amsterdam as the Netherlands' first foreign manager since a 10-month stint ended decades ago. His employers openly admitted that Pep Guardiola and Arne Slot were higher in their sights after Ronald Koeman's departure, but Xavi fits the Johan Cruyff school of football. Xavi takes over a side that was occasionally exciting but frequently unstable during a World Cup run that ended in the last 32. The player pool limits major surprises, though Borussia Dortmund's Joey Veerman has been recalled after not playing international football for over two years to provide a technically adept midfield fulcrum. Virgil van Dijk continues as captain despite considering international retirement during the summer, while the coach awaits the return of injured players Frenkie de Jong and Donyell Malen. Xavi has resisted analyzing past performances, stating he does not talk about the past. Both high-profile managers now take their first steps toward reviving their respective national teams when Germany visit the Netherlands on Thursday night.