German Football Association and Klopp reach agreement on coaching the national team

The German Football Association (DFB) and Jurgen Klopp reached a mutual agreement today, Saturday, for the latter to take on the role of head coach of the “Mannschaft,” although this agreement still requires approval from Klopp’s current employer, Red Bull, according to the national federation.

In a statement, the DFB said, “DFB President Bernd Neuendorf and his deputy Hans-Joachim Watzke held an in-depth preliminary meeting with Jurgen Klopp in New York to discuss the possibility of appointing him head coach of the national team.”

It added, “During this constructive dialogue, an agreement was reached on the key points of a potential contract. Discussions will resume next week. Both parties are confident that negotiations can be successfully concluded, subject to obtaining approval from Klopp’s current employer, Red Bull.”

The statement concluded, “Any potential contract must receive final approval from the DFB’s Supervisory Board and General Assembly.”

Since Julian Nagelsmann’s resignation following Germany’s elimination by Paraguay in the round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup via penalty shootout, Klopp (59) has become the DFB’s preferred candidate to succeed him.

After successful stints managing Mainz and Borussia Dortmund, Klopp became a legend at Liverpool, where he won the Premier League title in 2020, ending a 30-year trophy drought for the club, following his Champions League triumph the previous year.

Klopp left Liverpool in June 2024 after nine seasons during which he led the team to numerous titles.

Since January 1, 2025, Klopp has been working as Global Football Director for Red Bull, overseeing the various clubs under the Austrian energy drink brand.

German football is experiencing an unprecedented crisis, having suffered three consecutive World Cup exits: Germany was eliminated in the group stage in 2018 and 2022, and in the round of 32 in the current edition.