Matthäus was interviewed by Bild and other German media outlets, discussing Klopp's appointment as Germany national team coach, squad selection decisions, the Ballon d'Or race, and recent developments with some players. This is the first part of the interview.

How have you communicated with your fellow referees? How tense have the discussions been?

Communication has been very harmonious. When I was a player, I had far more issues with referees than I do now. I think people have a lot of mutual respect.

Of course, it's completely normal to have different opinions, especially regarding different decisions in specific situations.

However, there's no confrontational atmosphere on the pitch. People still joke around. For example, one person might think it's a penalty, and another might not. But even experts don't always agree on these situations.

It was two and a half very interesting hours, and two and a half very pleasant hours. You can see that people can still sit down together and communicate harmoniously.

So you won't hold back your opinions about today's event on Saturday evening?

No, I won't hold back. That's not the purpose of this. It's important to understand the referees' thinking and the rules they've established. Many times, certain things—like today—were presented so clearly for the first time.

For example, what constitutes intentional handball, and the new rules regarding corner kicks. There are actually some new rules now.

Today we were also reminded to consider these rules and incorporate them into our decisions. I believe many things today made a strong impression on us. This content will be useful for all of us going forward.

How much are you looking forward to Thursday night? Above all, it's Klopp's debut as Germany national team coach.

Right now, the most important thing for me is my 12-year-old son's cup match at 6:30 this evening. My focus is there. Because afterward, I need to pick up my grandson from school and make sure he gets to the match on time. That's my current priority.

Of course, that's just a minor interruption. But I believe the entire German football community, everyone with any connection to football, and I'd even say people with little connection to football, are all waiting for this match, waiting for Jürgen Klopp.

However, I don't think he can create miracles immediately. He'll also field 11 players. I also hope he can keep those 11 players on the pitch for 90 minutes, that no one receives a red card, and that no one has problems from being overly excited.

Because in a way, there's real pressure now. But Jürgen Klopp has done very well so far. If he continues to perform as he has in all his previous press conferences, everything will go smoothly.

You've always supported this "superstar squad." But on Saturday, you also mentioned that some people think this national team's break is too long, lasting three weeks. For example, Sebastian Hoeneß said so, and Stuttgart, the club he currently coaches, is also facing some difficulties. What's your opinion? Is this break too long?

First of all, our matches haven't decreased. Scheduling four matches together now actually makes sense. Because although this means leaving the club for three weeks, in return, two other international breaks will be cancelled. So actually, for the clubs, during the past three international breaks, they've gained an extra week. Previously, it was three times two weeks—six weeks total.

Now it's five weeks. From this perspective, as a coach, you actually save a week. Of course, the situation at Stuttgart is really not very bright at the moment.

Although some might argue that losing to Munich or Bayern, and Dortmund, is acceptable. Hoffenheim isn't a weak team either, and they have a good squad. However, they're certainly not satisfied with their current total points.

So I also think this is a benefit for the clubs. At the same time, it reduces travel burden for the players.

We have to consider the entire international match schedule. Not just matches in Europe, but also international matches outside Europe. This will especially reduce travel burden for players going to South America. So overall, I think this solution is good.

Because this is also a win-win situation that allows players to stay with the national team longer. Although there's this superstar squad now, the players will actually only have about nine days under Jürgen Klopp's leadership. Then they'll go home or return to their clubs.

I think UEFA's decision to extend this period is correct. Because it allows another international break to be cancelled.

And I think Klopp is also doing the right thing. This way he can get to know all the players. Because when I coached the Hungarian and Bulgarian national teams in the past, I encountered similar situations. Back then, you'd only see the players for two or three days, then play an international match, and then they'd leave again for four weeks.

Now, Klopp's philosophy can be better conveyed to the players. And not just some players, but all players. I think the long national team training camp, scheduling four national team matches, and the squad list Jürgen Klopp has called up overall have many positive aspects.

Of course, he might not be able to build a completely cohesive team immediately. But at least he can now get to know all the players. Then he can decide which players he can really trust in future stages with fewer international matches.

What do you expect from each player under the new national team coach? Including those who participated in the World Cup and newcomers.

I've always believed that whether it's a national team match or a championship match, as long as they're playing, as long as they're on the pitch, they must give their all. This is really the most basic requirement.

They don't need to play well in every match, because everyone has off days. The same applies to us experts, and to you journalists and photographers. Everyone sometimes makes mistakes.

Players can also have such moments; they can also make mistakes. But they must leave their heart on the pitch.

I think this is exactly what Jürgen Klopp has always demonstrated very well. This way, the players won't have any other choice. They'll run, they'll try their best. They can play tighter tactically. They'll also try to showcase their abilities on the pitch. They can also play in their best positions. This is also one of the issues Nagelsmann faced during the World Cup period.

But that's the past. I see much in Jürgen Klopp's philosophy that I immediately agree with.

Is it right that Undav wasn't selected?

That's the national team coach's decision. Many people might have selected him, and some wouldn't. Just as we had different opinions about some things here, we have to accept and respect the national team coach's decision.

Undav himself has to accept this, and Baumann has to accept this too. I was also left out of the national team for three years, and I had to respect that decision at the time. I was the best player in the world, had earned 100 caps for the national team, and was in great form at Bayern Munich, but Berti Vogts simply didn't select me. Of course, this is unfortunate for Undav.

However, he can prove himself through many goals, good performances, and excellent displays. So, as I said, for me, it's understandable that Klopp is currently choosing to trust other players in this position.

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