Jürgen Klopp has been appointed as the new head coach of the Germany men’s national football team, tasked with revitalizing a side that has experienced three consecutive early exits at the World Cup since 2014. The German Football Association (DFB) announced Klopp’s appointment on July 25, confirming a contract running through to the 2030 World Cup, which will be hosted jointly by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.
Klopp, 59, takes over following the resignation of Julian Nagelsmann, who stepped down after Germany's last-32 defeat to Paraguay in the recent World Cup—a result that marked the third successive failure for the German team to advance beyond the round of 16. At a press conference in Frankfurt, Klopp described the role as a “great honour” and suggested it might be the pinnacle of his coaching career, pledging to commit fully to the position. However, he issued an early warning to the media, stating he would resign if public or press criticism became intolerable, particularly regarding intrusions into his family’s privacy.
The former Liverpool manager returns to coaching after stepping down in 2024, citing fatigue, following a highly successful tenure in England that included leading Liverpool to a Premier League title and a Champions League triumph. Since then, Klopp has served as "Head of Global Soccer" for Red Bull, overseeing multiple clubs affiliated with the Austrian energy drink company, including RB Leipzig. The DFB did not pay a release fee to Red Bull but agreed to donate one million euros to the Wings for Life charity and to host three national team matches in Leipzig as part of the arrangement.
Klopp acknowledged he has not been closely following international football outside of major tournaments in recent years and expressed his aim to not only win matches but also to restore enthusiasm and excitement around the national team. He indicated plans to bring “something cool” back to German football and hinted at potentially surprising squad selections.
Germany’s national setup will see further changes with former defender Per Mertesacker appointed as managing director for sport, beginning in January. Mertesacker, previously involved in Arsenal’s academy, will oversee the men’s teams with an emphasis on youth development. Klopp’s coaching staff includes familiar faces from his Liverpool days—assistants Peter Krawietz and Pep Lijnders—as well as ex-Germany player Sven Bender and Klopp’s longtime agent Marc Kosicke, who will contribute on strategy and administration.
Germany's squad features promising young talents like Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala, who are expected to be central to Klopp’s rebuilding plans. Veteran players such as captain Joshua Kimmich and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who recently returned from international retirement for one last World Cup appearance, remain important figures.
Klopp’s first competitive challenge begins in late September with four Nations League matches against the Netherlands, Greece, and Serbia. The initial major tournament under his leadership will be the 2028 European Championship, where Germany aims to reverse a recent downturn in knockout-stage performances. Since winning the 2014 World Cup, the team has managed just one victory in knockout matches across subsequent World Cups and European Championships combined. With Klopp’s appointment, the DFB hopes to restore Germany’s standing as a leading force in international football.