Jurgen Klopp has been confirmed as the new head coach of the Germany national team, succeeding Julian Nagelsmann after Germany's failure to progress beyond the round of 32 at the recent World Cup in North America.
Klopp's warning to media
The 59-year-old former Liverpool boss has warned he will walk away from his new role if his family are hounded by the media. He signed a contract until 2030, covering Euro 2028 in the UK and Republic of Ireland and the 2030 World Cup in Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
Klopp will be assisted by former Liverpool coaches Pep Lijnders and Peter Krawietz, along with former Germany international Sven Bender.
Klopp's last job in management
Klopp had been away from the dugout since leaving Liverpool in 2024 after almost nine years. He spent almost two years as Red Bull's head of global soccer and worked as a pundit at the World Cup. On his unveiling, he made clear this would be his last managerial role.
“I know full well this is job number one for me,” he said. “It is my mission to make the national squad better and to hope the pool is made better for me to pick from. But it is not something I will do against you, but I’m doing it for you. I will be remunerated very graciously and if tomorrow Jurgen Klopp is s***, then I will be gone. If the DFB says ‘come on, let us not continue the job’ then that’s it. And if you (the media) behave badly and don’t let my family live in peace, I’ll be gone and just turn away. I know there are other countries where the national team coaches are treated even worse. I love this job, but I’m always ready to call it quits if needed.”
“Jurgen Klopp is not going to have any ‘career’ after the national team, this is the pinnacle of my footballing career as coach. I will give everything I’ve got.”
Germany's recent struggles
Germany have not reached the last 16 of the World Cup since winning it in 2014, and won their last European Championship 30 years ago.
DFB President Bernd Neuendorf said: “Jurgen stands for passion, credibility and the ability to take people with him like few others. After the resignation of Julian Nagelsmann, he was our unequivocal first choice for the office of national coach. That's why we have consistently tried to get him. I would like to thank everyone who paved the way for this cooperation, especially Oliver Mintzlaff for the constructive discussions and his cooperative attitude, as well as Aki Watzke for his great support.”
DFB sporting director Rudi Voller added: “Jurgen has proven over many years at the highest level that he develops young players and that his teams perform under pressure. He is also a great motivator who will take our fans and German football with him. I am looking forward to working together.”
