The German Football Association (DFB) has confirmed Jürgen Klopp as its new national team coach, securing his services on a contract that runs until after the 2030 World Cup. The 57-year-old leaves his job as Head of Global Soccer at Red Bull to take charge of the national side, becoming the 13th head coach in Germany’s history.
The agreement includes a compensation package of €1 million, which the DFB will pay to Wings for Life, a Red Bull foundation that supports medical research into spinal cord injuries. This financial arrangement facilitates Klopp’s immediate transition from his previous position to international management.
Klopp will officially begin work on 15 August alongside a trusted backroom team. Peter Krawietz and Pep Lijnders, both of whom worked with Klopp during his successful spell at Liverpool, will serve as his assistants. They will be joined by Sven Bender, the former Borussia Dortmund midfielder who played under Klopp during his time at the Bundesliga club. The coaching quartet will have limited time to implement their methods before competitive action commences.
Nations League debut awaits
The new regime faces an immediate examination in the Nations League. Klopp will select his first Germany squad during the third week of September, barely five weeks after taking office.
His inaugural match will take place on 24 September in Amsterdam against the Netherlands. Three days later, on 27 September, he will oversee his first home fixture at the WWK Arena in Augsburg, where Germany will host Greece. These back-to-back fixtures provide an early opportunity for the coach to assess his players in competitive environments ahead of the World Cup qualifying campaign.
Administrative transition
The appointment forms part of wider structural changes at the DFB. Per Mertesacker will succeed Andreas Rettig as the federation’s Managing Director of Sport, though this transition will not occur until 1 January 2027. The former Arsenal defender’s delayed start means Klopp will initially work with the current sporting administration.
The extended contract until 2030 demonstrates the federation’s commitment to a long-term project, giving Klopp the duration to shape the squad across multiple tournament cycles. His immediate focus, however, remains the September double-header against the Netherlands and Greece.