Winners of Club World Cup will be ‘worst of all time’, says Jürgen Klopp

Jürgen Klopp, the former manager of Liverpool, has voiced strong criticism regarding the newly introduced expanded format of the Club World Cup. In an interview with Die Welt, Klopp expressed his concerns that the tournament, which will now feature 32 teams and occur every four years during the summer months, adds further strain to an already congested football calendar. He described the competition as 'pointless,' arguing that the team that ultimately wins it will be regarded as the 'worst winner of all time.' This is due to the fact that the winners will have participated in matches throughout the summer before immediately returning to their domestic leagues, leaving little to no time for recovery. Klopp emphasized that decision-makers in football, who may not have firsthand experience with the sport's day-to-day demands, are contributing to the creation of such competitions without fully understanding their implications for players' well-being.

Moreover, Klopp raised alarms about the potential health risks associated with the increased number of matches players are expected to endure. He warned of an impending surge in injuries, suggesting that the next season could witness unprecedented levels of player fatigue and physical strain. According to Klopp, the lack of adequate recovery time—both physically and mentally—could lead to serious repercussions for athletes involved in the tournament. Since leaving Liverpool in 2024, Klopp has taken on a new role as head of global football for Red Bull, overseeing clubs such as RB Leipzig and New York Red Bulls. Despite being asked about a return to coaching, Klopp stated that he is content with his current position, which, while intense, allows for better work-life organization than his previous coaching responsibilities.