Jurgen Klopp was in a statesmanlike mood as he got down to business as Germany coach.
The former Liverpool boss named his first squad for the upcoming international break and it included 44 players which will be split into two groups.
More headline-making, though, were his comments on politics.
The far-right AfD party won 44% of the vote in Saxony-Anhalt and could be the first far-right leaders of a German state since the Second World War should they form a coalition to give them a majority.
Their campaign heavily revolves around nationalism, with the German flag seen as more of a political gesture in the country.
But for Klopp, he wants to re-claim its use for good around football matches.
Klopp sends AfD message
“I would like to take the flag back for myself or for us,” Klopp said at the DFB campus in Frankfurt.
“I want us to always swing them in such a way that nobody thinks what’s wrong with you. But that people just feel you’re happy and understand that you were lucky to be born, raised, and move to this wonderful country.”
Referring to the AfD success in particular, he added: “Some people probably found it okay, many others thought: Good heavens, what’s going on here?
“I am no expert on politics, but I don’t want to leave national pride to the wrong people.
“But I don’t know anymore if you can even use the word like that, or are allowed to, without it being misunderstood.”
Klopp shows his national pride
He continued: “I want to speak of positive patriotism. I truly think we are a wonderful country.
“It can also help in general to occasionally look at what we actually have that’s good.
“I can be proud to be German and still be open, diverse, kind, and friendly.”
Klopp then put football’s role in context, but insisted it can be a force for good.
He finished: “It’s more important that we have doctors. It’s more important that we have nurses. It’s more important that we have lots and lots of people in lots and lots of different professions.
“But football can develop a sense of community here, so that we can truly feel the power of sport.”
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