Jürgen Klopp has confirmed he is in negotiations to succeed Julian Nagelsmann as Germany head coach after the latter resigned following the national team’s World Cup elimination.
Nagelsmann stepped down on Friday, four days after Germany suffered a last-32 defeat on penalties to Paraguay in Boston. The 38-year-old’s contract, which was due to run until the 2028 European Championship, was terminated with immediate effect. Media reports indicate he received a €7m severance package.
The German Football Association (DFB) has identified Klopp as its preferred candidate and confirmed the former Liverpool manager has signalled his willingness to accept the position. Speaking as a World Cup pundit for Magenta TV, Klopp said: “Julian has stepped down and the [federation] is working on the succession and has approached me in the course of those considerations.”
Klopp ‘more than recharged’
Klopp, who left Liverpool at the end of the 2023-24 season citing exhaustion, said he has recovered fully during his break from management. “About two years ago I stopped at Liverpool and said that 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.”
The 59-year-old acknowledged that German football requires fundamental reform after three consecutive World Cup failures. Germany have not reached the last 16 since 2014 and have not won a knockout match since beating Argentina in that year’s final. “Now we need to change things fundamentally,” Klopp said. “Whether that’s me in the end or whoever it may be, that doesn’t change the fact that changes are necessary.”
Red Bull contract obstacle
However, Klopp’s appointment faces a significant contractual hurdle. He currently serves as Head of Global Soccer at Red Bull, a position running until 2029. While reports suggest Klopp has a verbal exit clause allowing him to take the Germany job, this agreement was not formally written into his contract.
Red Bull may demand a single-digit million-euro compensation fee to release Klopp, which would mark the first time the DFB has paid a transfer fee for a coach. Klopp said “intensive talks” will be required with both the federation and Red Bull to resolve his situation. “I have an existing contract with Red Bull,” he said. “As a person, I am usually very happy to keep contracts. But I have also said that I am very interested in the discussions.”
Nagelsmann, who took charge in September 2023, also led Germany to a quarter-final defeat against Spain at Euro 2024. The DFB thanked him for his “high level of commitment” and “extraordinary ambition” during his tenure.