Völler Reverses Exit Decision
Rudi Völler will remain as sporting director of the German Football Association (DFB) until Euro 2028, abandoning plans to resign following decisive talks with new head coach Jürgen Klopp. The 66-year-old revealed he had seriously considered stepping down after Germany‘s premature World Cup elimination but was persuaded to honour his contract following discussions with Klopp and senior DFB officials.
Speaking at the International Coaches’ Congress in Mainz, Völler admitted the national team’s failure had shaken his resolve. “I thought about whether it still made sense to continue after this World Cup and I hesitated. I was close,” he said, according to DPA.
World Cup Fallout
Germany’s shock Round of 32 defeat against Paraguay proved the catalyst for Völler’s uncertainty. The early exit from the tournament prompted the former World Cup winner to question his future within the national team setup, despite having a contract that runs until the 2028 European Championship.
The DFB hierarchy moved quickly to retain Völler, arranging face-to-face meetings between the sporting director and Klopp, who recently took charge of the national team. These conversations proved pivotal in changing Völler’s mind about his future.
The Klopp Factor
Völler highlighted Klopp’s influence in his decision to stay, praising the new head coach’s achievements and personality. “Jürgen has an incredible track record. If he says you have to stay involved, that naturally makes me happy,” Völler explained. “I will support him in my own way.”
The sporting director believes Klopp is uniquely positioned to rebuild bridges with supporters disillusioned by recent tournament performances. Völler stressed that reconnecting with the public through attractive football represents the primary challenge over the coming months.
Looking Ahead to Euro 2028
With qualification for the next European Championship on the horizon, Völler outlined his vision for restoring German football’s prestige. “We have to inspire the masses again and do better at the next European Championship,” he stated. “You have to give people a certain amount of confidence over the next two years. He can do that with his personality. He has already set the country alight.”
Völler added: “It’s great that he got the job. Alongside his football knowledge, his great strength is being able to inspire people.”