Jurgen Klopp has described criticism of Mesut Ozil and Ilkay Gundogan as “absolute nonsense” amid the ongoing fallout from Germany’s World Cup failure. The Premier League duo were jeered by their own fans in pre-tournament friendlies after meeting with controversial Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, which Gundogan explained was not a political statement. Ozil, who has remained silent over the issue, has been urged by German Football Association (DFB) president Reinhard Grindel to publicly explain his actions, while national team general manager Oliver Bierhoff claimed the Arsenal star should have been omitted from the squad that suffered a shock group-stage exit in Russia. But Liverpool manager Klopp has deemed the response an overreaction and hit out at suggestions the midfielders should be shunned from international football.
Having to leave the World Cup already after the group stage hurts so much. We just weren't good enough. I'll need some time to get over it. #SayNoToRacism #Worldcup #Russia2018 #M1Ö pic.twitter.com/mFOOhYQZen
— Mesut Özil (@MesutOzil1088) June 29, 2018
“The intelligent people of this country demand tolerance. And the others should shut up and not question the boys,” Klopp said.
“Both were certainly not very well advised in this matter. Older, more experienced people should have helped them there.
“We should not forget that the two of them have Turkish roots even though they grew up here in Germany.
“But it is the same as always: the one who cries the loudest is the one who hears the most. But that’s never been my thing.”