Jurgen Klopp has been officially announced as the new manager of Germany. The former Liverpool boss will leave his current role with Red Bull to succeed Julian Nagelsmann after his resignation in the wake of a disappointing World Cup.
Klopp's new role
Klopp was identified as the top target immediately after Nagelsmann stepped down and agreed terms to take over earlier this month. The 59-year-old has been working as Red Bull's global head of soccer for the last 19 months following his departure from Liverpool in 2024, but will now step back into the dugout.
Germany were knocked out of the World Cup in the last 32 by Paraguay, leaving Nagelsmann little choice but to resign the position he'd held since succeeding Hansi Flick in September 2023.
Klopp's background
Klopp, who has managed Mainz, Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool, was in North America following Die Mannschaft as a pundit for German TV, where he was critical of their approach. He stepped down at Liverpool at the end of the 2023/24 season due to fatigue but said earlier this month that he feels "recharged".
Klopp won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and two League Cups during a hugely successful nine-year spell at Liverpool. He also has a stellar reputation in Germany, where he led Dortmund to two Bundesliga titles and the Champions League final.
Talks confirmed
The move has been predicted for some time and has been anticipated since Klopp publicly confirmed talks at the start of July, while working at the World Cup for a German broadcaster. "Yes, I can confirm the talks," Klopp told Magenta. "Things moved pretty quickly. Julian stepped down. The DFB are looking for a successor and they're talking to me."
"What needs to happen now? Time. I'm under contract with Red Bull. I've said I'm interested in the talks. They will be intensive because this isn't only about Julian Nagelsmann."
"I have an existing contract with Red Bull. I've said many times how much I enjoy this job. As a person, I usually honour contracts. But I've also made it clear that I'm interested in talks with the DFB."
"I also have to speak with (Red Bull CEO) Oliver Mintzlaff. He's my employer. We've already touched on a few things. I assume he won't stand in the way. I've been there for 19 months. It was an intense time."
"I'm ready. Once the talks begin, your mind starts racing. We have to change things fundamentally. There will have to be intensive discussions, because, of course, the problems we currently have cannot be pinned only on Julian Nagelsmann. Julian is an exceptional coach, and he will be able to prove that time and again throughout his coaching career."
