Jürgen Klopp’s comments on FC Bayern’s tactical approach continue to cause a stir. During the Champions League match against Arsenal (2–2), the German national team coach publicly stated that he could not fully understand Vincent Kompany’s defensive strategy. Now Oliver Kahn has also weighed in. The former Bayern CEO expressed surprise and criticized, above all, the context in which Klopp made his public remarks.

Klopp caused a stir during halftime on DAZN. “To this day, I still don’t fully understand what Bayern does when they’re defending. But I just want to keep learning,” the 59-year-old explained.

Harry Kane’s role in the defensive play, in particular, puzzled the German national team coach. Against Arsenal, the Englishman played unusually deep at times and took on pressing duties that Klopp apparently could not fully understand.

While Bayern coach Vincent Kompany declined to comment on his colleague’s remarks, Klopp’s public analysis has since sparked a controversial debate.

Kahn is puzzled by Klopp’s role

Oliver Kahn appeared irritated by the national team coach’s remarks. The former Bayern boss questioned, above all, whether Klopp’s comments were appropriate for his current role.

“I had to stop and think for a moment whether he’s the national team coach or still just a soccer expert,” Kahn explained in an interview with Sky.

In his view, Klopp’s remarks sounded more like a classic TV analysis than the words of a sitting national team coach.

Kahn pointed out that the remarks could certainly be interpreted as criticism of Vincent Kompany. That is precisely what Klopp needs to keep in mind during public appearances.

The former national team goalkeeper also recalled earlier comments made by the national team coach about Julian Nagelsmann, which he had likewise viewed critically.

“This is also a bit about collegiality.”

For Kahn, the focus is above all on the relationship between the coaches. A national team coach bears a special responsibility when speaking publicly about the work of his colleagues. “He’s still the national team coach. I think this is also a bit about collegiality—even among coaches,” emphasized the 57-year-old.

Klopp must therefore be aware of the impact his statements can have. “A national team coach, in particular, really needs to know exactly what he’s saying,” Kahn stressed.

After all, it was foreseeable that the remarks would subsequently be the subject of intense discussion. When asked whether Klopp’s words had surprised him, the former Bayern goalkeeper replied clearly: “Yes, they surprised me, because that’s not something you’d normally expect from a national team coach.”

With that, Kahn joins the ranks of the critics. TV legend Marcel Reif had previously stated that, if he were in Klopp’s position, he would have been more reserved in his public comments.

The discussion has thus long since ceased to revolve exclusively around FC Bayern’s tactical approach. Rather, the question now is how openly a national team coach should publicly evaluate the work of a club coach.

In any case, Kahn apparently would have liked to see more restraint and collegiality from Klopp.

This article was translated into English by AI. You can read the original version here https://fcbinside.de/2026/10/23/nach-kritik-an-kompany-kahn-geht-mit-klopp-hart-ins-gericht/.