Jurgen Klopp causes a stir with controversial comments on World Cup hydration breaks

Jurgen Klopp was heralded as a bastion of common sense during his time as Liverpool manager, but the German coach has risked the wrath of English football fans after defending the hydration breaks being used at the World Cup. The controversial introduction has angered fans during this summer’s tournament in North America, with fans arguing they have restructured the format of the sport.

Every match at the World Cup is stopped midway through each half, for a three-minute pause that allows players to take on fluids and speak to their manager. However, critics claim they are only mandatory because it has allowed FIFA to sell more advertising slots - something the governing body has denied.

Water breaks have been a fixture of World Cups in the past, but only when the temperature has exceeded a certain amount. It is the case that many matches at the World Cup are being played in hot and humid conditions, but there are also examples of the temperature being lower in stadiums with roofs because of air conditioning systems.

EXPRESS SPORT ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page

Much to the surprise of many, Klopp has thrown his support behind the breaks in play, telling the BBC: “It’s really hot and it’s good for the players. Is it good for the coaches? Yeah, I would have loved it. Maybe it’s a little bit too much right now. It’s definitely too long because for drinking, you don’t need two and a half minutes or whatever. But that’s the thing.”

Before adding: “It’s completely fine but I understand when you sit at home and then the commercials start… but being my age, it is a welcome break to go to the toilet!”

UEFA have already committed to not having a mandatory hydration break in every match at the European Championship in two years time, unless the temperature is above a certain point. FIFA president Gianni Infantino came out and defended the breaks this week, stating: “The main reason is the heat, but we also have to understand that in a competition like the (FIFA) World Cup, played over 39 days, with teams potentially playing eight matches in those 39 days, having a moment to rest is extremely important.

“What matters even more to us is ensuring that all teams, in every match, are playing under the same conditions. And it’s very difficult to accept that a coach might have the opportunity to influence a match by making adjustments simply because it’s hotter, while in another match, where the temperature is slightly lower, the same coach doesn’t have the same opportunity. We want to ensure equal conditions for everyone, and that’s why these breaks are implemented in every match.”

Get the latest World Cup news straight to your inbox by signing up to our Make Football Great Again newsletter now!