Klopp signals readiness to take over Germany after Nagelsmann resignation
Jürgen Klopp has confirmed he is in negotiations to become the next head coach of the German national team, four days after Julian Nagelsmann resigned following Germany’s shock World Cup round-of-32 defeat to Paraguay. Speaking to German broadcaster Magenta TV, Klopp declared himself “more than recharged” and ready to return to the touchline for the first time since leaving Liverpool in 2024.
The German Football Association (DFB) confirmed in a statement on Friday that Nagelsmann had stepped down, alongside assistants Benjamin Glück and Benjamin Hübner. The same statement named Klopp as the federation’s preferred successor, revealing that he had “signalled his general willingness to take on the position.” Klopp later confirmed the talks, telling Magenta: “Julian has stepped down and the [federation] is working on the succession and has approached me in the course of those considerations.”
Klopp, who has worked as Red Bull’s global head of soccer since early 2025, said he needed to consult his employer before any deal could be finalized. “I need to talk to Oliver Mintzlaff. He’s my employer. We’ve already texted things. I assume he’s not in the way,” Klopp added.
A nation at a turning point after another World Cup failure
Germany’s round-of-32 exit to Paraguay — sealed on penalties after a 1-1 draw — marked the third consecutive men’s World Cup in which the four-time champions failed to reach the last 16. Germany last won a knockout match at the 2014 final, a drought now spanning 12 years. The defeat prompted Nagelsmann’s resignation, despite the 38-year-old initially expressing a desire to stay on.
Klopp described German football as being “at a turning point” and called for fundamental changes. “Now we need to change things fundamentally. Whether that’s me in the end or whoever it may be, that doesn’t change the fact that changes are necessary,” he told Magenta.
The DFB’s handling of the situation has drawn criticism from German football legend Lothar Matthäus, who demanded a root-and-branch overhaul of the federation. “Every stone must be turned over and everyone at the DFB must question themselves,” Matthäus told Sky Sport. “It’s not just the national coach, but all DFB officials must take responsibility for the fact that Germany has once again failed so ingloriously at the World Cup.”
Matthäus argued that Klopp is “the best solution the DFB could wish for,” adding that with Klopp, Germany could “be more successful again at the coming tournaments.”
Klopp’s energy restored after Liverpool departure
When Klopp left Liverpool in the summer of 2024 after nearly nine years at Anfield — during which he won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and more — he said he was “running out of energy.” He took a six-month break before joining Red Bull as head of global soccer, a role he described as less intense than club management.
Now, two years on, Klopp feels revitalized. “About two years ago I stopped at Liverpool and said I lacked the energy for another job or for another year with Liverpool,” he said. “Since then I’m more than recharged, I’m ready.”
Klopp had long left the door open to managing Germany. In 2023, while still at Liverpool, he said: “I could become Germany coach at some point. But it has to fit, and so far it hasn’t.” Now, he says, the timing is better than ever, despite his ongoing Red Bull contract. With the DFB keen to move quickly, negotiations are expected to accelerate in the coming days.
What Klopp’s appointment would mean for German football
If appointed, Klopp would inherit a national team in transition. Germany’s golden generation that won the 2014 World Cup has faded, and the team has struggled to develop a new identity. The squad that lost to Paraguay lacked cohesion and a clear tactical direction, issues that Klopp would be expected to address.
Klopp made clear he does not blame Nagelsmann for the deeper problems, calling him an “excellent coach.” Instead, he has signaled that any takeover would require “intensive talks” with the DFB to agree on the structural and cultural changes needed. “I need to talk about the way ahead. We need to agree on key points of how to transform the team’s fortunes,” Klopp said.
Matthäus echoed the need for reform beyond the coach’s box, suggesting the DFB must overhaul its entire approach. “The first big mistake was the design of Nagelsmann’s extension almost a year ago,” he said. The pressure cooker environment eventually forced Nagelsmann out, and Matthäus accused the DFB of lacking the courage to make hard decisions.
For fans, the prospect of Klopp taking charge brings a sense of optimism not seen since Germany’s 2014 triumph. His charisma, tactical acumen, and ability to build high-energy teams could reignite a stagnating program. However, his success will depend on how much freedom he is given to reshape the federation’s structures.
The DFB’s next steps will be closely watched — not just in Germany, but across the football world. If Klopp’s return to management is confirmed, it will mark one of the most significant coaching appointments in recent international football history. The question now is whether the federation is ready to match the ambition of the man they hope will lead them back to glory.
For more on high-stakes managerial transitions, see our coverage of the Scotland manager search: SFA faces crossroads after Clarke exit.
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