Ex-Liverpool manager describes FIFA’s Club World Cup as ‘worst idea ever’
(MENAFN) Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has fiercely criticized FIFA’s revamped Club World Cup, calling it “the worst idea ever implemented in football.” Speaking to German outlet Die Welt on Friday, Klopp voiced strong opposition to the expanded 32-team tournament, which he believes adds unnecessary strain to players already facing a congested match calendar.
The 2025 edition of the Club World Cup, currently taking place in the United States, kicked off on June 14 — just two weeks after the Champions League final — and is scheduled to run through July 13. Unlike previous versions that featured only a small number of teams, the new format mirrors the FIFA World Cup, consisting of eight groups with four teams each.
Klopp dismissed the tournament as "pointless" and argued that whoever wins it will be the “worst winner of all time,” due to the extreme scheduling demands that see players compete all summer before jumping straight into the new league season.
He also criticized FIFA’s leadership, suggesting the decision-makers lack practical experience in professional football. “These are people who have never been involved in the daily reality of the sport, yet they’re the ones proposing these ideas,” Klopp said.
The German coach, who guided Liverpool to its first Premier League title in 2019–2020, warned that the new tournament format leaves virtually no time for rest and recovery, heightening the risk of injuries and mental fatigue.
“There are simply too many games. I’m worried that next season we’ll see an injury crisis like never before. If not then, it will happen during or after the Club World Cup,” he warned.
Klopp, who now serves as global head of soccer for Red Bull — the parent company of RB Leipzig and New York Red Bulls — remains one of the most respected figures in modern football.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept
any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images,
videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright
issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
