Jurgen Klopp has some strong opinions regarding the FIFA Club World Cup expansion, and it’s pretty evident he’s not shy about sharing them.
In a recent interview with a German outlet, Die Welt, published on Friday, he labeled the new format as perhaps the “worst idea ever implemented” in sports.
This new structure is set to include 32 teams and will take place every four years during the summer preseason, which is somewhat crowded due to major international tournaments.
The 2025 Club World Cup, set to unfold in the US, kicked off earlier this month and is projected to conclude on July 13th.
Klopp didn’t hold back, stating, “It’s a pointless competition. The winner will be, arguably, the worst winner of all time, competing all summer and then jumping back into league play.” He also expressed concern about decision-makers in football who have, as he put it, “never been involved in the daily business” of the game, coming up with ideas like this.
He raised alarms about player fatigue, pointing out that with players already stretched thin, adding yet another tournament could pose risks to their health. “There are too many games,” he said, indicating a worry that the upcoming season might see unprecedented injury levels, especially connected to the Club World Cup.
The 58-year-old remarked, “No one involved seems to recover well, either physically or mentally,” highlighting the toll such schedules can have.
Since stepping away from coaching, Klopp has taken on the role of head of global football at Red Bull, which owns several clubs, including the New York Red Bulls in MLS and RB Leipzig in Germany.
When questioned about possibly returning to coaching, Klopp implied that his current position is quite fulfilling. “I don’t want that anymore,” he remarked. “I’m focused on my current work, which I believe I can enhance even further, even if I’m not getting much sleep.”
