The German Football Federation (DFB) announced on Saturday that it is nearing an agreement with Jürgen Klopp to assume the role of head coach for the Germany national team. This development marks a significant step toward the former Liverpool manager’s return to the sidelines in international football.
Despite this progress, the DFB emphasized that finalizing Klopp’s appointment hinges on obtaining clearance from his current employer, the Red Bull Group. Klopp, aged 59, has been serving as the head of global football for Red Bull since his departure from Liverpool in 2024.
“DFB president Bernd Neuendorf and vice-president Hans-Joachim Watzke engaged in a detailed initial discussion with Jürgen Klopp in New York on Friday about his potential appointment as national team coach,” the federation outlined in an official press release.
During this productive meeting, both sides reached an understanding on the principal terms of a prospective contract. Negotiations are set to continue into the following week, with optimism that an agreement can be concluded once Red Bull’s approval is secured.
Preferred Successor to Nagelsmann
Klopp has emerged as the DFB’s favored candidate to replace Julian Nagelsmann, who stepped down after Germany’s exit from the FIFA World Cup 2026™ in the round of 32, following a penalty shootout loss to Paraguay. Klopp’s reputation as one of the sport’s elite coaches—bolstered by his successful tenures at Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool—positions him as a natural choice to lead the national squad forward.
Having taken a break from coaching after his Liverpool tenure, Klopp’s transition back into management with Germany would represent a major shift in his career trajectory. The ongoing discussions between Klopp, the DFB, and Red Bull are poised to shape the future direction of German football at the international level.