Germany are on the verge of appointing Jurgen Klopp as their men's national team coach, less than a week after the four-time World Cup winners were knocked out in the round of 32 by Paraguay. The German FA (DFB) confirmed it will hold talks with Klopp after Julian Nagelsmann resigned following the defeat. Klopp, who has been out of management since leaving Liverpool in 2024, has already indicated a general willingness to take on the role.
The sudden vacancy arose when Nagelsmann, 38, asked to be relieved of his duties on Thursday 2 July, three days after Germany's penalty shootout loss to Paraguay. The DFB granted his request and terminated his contract, which had been extended to cover Euro 2028. Nagelsmann said the decision was “anything but easy” but that the team “deserves the chance for a fresh start” after the bitter disappointment.
“Jurgen Klopp is in talks to become Germany's head coach after Nagelsmann quit following a World Cup exit.”
Nagelsmann took over from Hansi Flick in September 2023, initially on a short-term deal. He led Germany to the Euro 2024 quarter-finals as hosts, where they lost to eventual winners Spain. But his tenure will be remembered for yet another early World Cup exit – Germany have not won a knockout game at the tournament since being crowned champions in 2014. They failed to get beyond the group stage in 2018 and 2022.
For UK readers, Klopp’s potential return to management is huge news. The former Liverpool boss spent nine years at Anfield, winning the Premier League and Champions League, and has been working as a pundit during the World Cup. If appointed, he would become the first high-profile German coach to take the national job since Joachim Low. The DFB said Klopp “has already signalled his general willingness” and a clause in his contract as Red Bull’s Global Head of Soccer allows him to accept the Germany role. One player he would likely work with is Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz, a £115m signing who struggled in his first season under Arne Slot. Klopp has called Wirtz a “once-in-a-century talent” and defended him publicly.
Q: Why did Julian Nagelsmann resign? Nagelsmann stepped down after Germany’s shock World Cup exit in the round of 32, where they lost to Paraguay on penalties. He said the team deserved a new beginning after such a disappointing tournament. Reports suggest he was offered a €7m severance package to cut short his contract, which ran until Euro 2028.
Q: What is the relationship between Jurgen Klopp and Florian Wirtz? Klopp has been a vocal supporter of Wirtz, who joined Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen in a British record £115m move. When Wirtz struggled to adapt, Klopp said on podcasts and TV that he is an “incredible talent” and a “once-in-a-century talent”, predicting he will eventually show his quality consistently.
Q: What is the timeline for Klopp’s appointment? The DFB said it will now seek talks with Klopp. No date has been set for an announcement, but given Klopp’s indication of willingness and the clause in his Red Bull contract, an appointment could come within days or weeks. Germany’s next competitive matches are likely to be in early 2027.
What happens next depends on the outcome of DFB-Klopp talks. If he accepts, he will become the 12th full-time head coach of Germany’s men’s national team. The DFB will also need to arrange a pay-off with Nagelsmann, who is reportedly owed compensation. Klopp’s first major test would be qualifying for Euro 2028, with the tournament co-hosted by the UK and Ireland.