Key Takeaways
- Germany coach Juergen Klopp urges citizens to express pride without association with extremism.
- Klopp's comments come after far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) won an election in Saxony-Anhalt.
- Klopp prefers the term 'positive patriotism' over 'national pride'.
Germany coach Juergen Klopp has called for a return to national pride, stating that it should not be associated with extremist groups.
Speaking at a news conference to unveil a 44-man split squad for upcoming Nations League matches, Klopp emphasized the need to reclaim the flag from those he deems 'wrong people'.
Klopp, a prominent public figure and former Liverpool manager, said, 'I don’t want to leave national pride to the wrong people.'
The comments follow the Alternative for Germany (AfD) winning an election in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt on September 6, marking the first far-right government at state level in postwar Germany.
Klopp acknowledged the sensitivity of patriotism in a country with a Nazi past, stating, 'Can you be proud to be German and still be open, diverse, nice and friendly – can you still show compassion?'
He added, 'I am 100 percent certain: Yes!'
Klopp’s term 'positive patriotism' is intended to differentiate from what he perceives as a misinterpretation of 'national pride'.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s Christian Democrats welcomed Klopp’s call, with Franziska Hoppermann stating, 'We all should, and are allowed to, wear our national colours with pride and confidence as symbols of our freedom.'
An AfD spokesperson said the party would issue a statement later on Thursday, but no further details were provided.
I don’t want to leave national pride to the wrong people.
Juergen Klopp, Germany coach
Can you be proud to be German and still be open, diverse, nice and friendly – can you still show compassion?
Juergen Klopp, Germany coach
We all should, and are allowed to, wear our national colours with pride and confidence as symbols of our freedom.
Franziska Hoppermann, Secretary general of Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s Christian Democrats
