Jürgen Klopp has revealed that he is currently in discussions to become the coach of Germany’s national football team, expressing that he has fully replenished the energy he felt was lacking when he departed from Liverpool.
The German Football Federation has identified Klopp as their top choice following the resignation of Julian Nagelsmann, who stepped down just days after Germany’s penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay in the World Cup’s round of 32.
“Julian has stepped down and the [federation] is working on the succession and has approached me in the course of those considerations,” Klopp stated during an interview from New York, where he is serving as a commentator for the World Cup on German broadcaster Magenta TV.
Klopp was the sole coach mentioned in an official statement by the federation regarding the team’s future, which indicated that he had “signalled his willingness” to take the role. He noted that the discussions might take some time due to his ongoing contract as the head of global football for Red Bull’s club network.
Having not taken on a coaching position since leaving Liverpool in 2024, Klopp previously mentioned feeling “About two years ago I stopped at Liverpool and said that I lacked the energy for another job or for another year with Liverpool,” after an eight-year tenure that included winning the Premier League and the Champions League.
“Since then I’m more than recharged, I’m ready.” he reflected. “German football is obviously at a turning point now,”
The incoming coach for Germany will face the task of implementing significant changes, and Klopp emphasized the necessity of “Now we need to change things fundamentally. Whether that’s me in the end or whoever it may be, that doesn’t change the fact that changes are necessary.” with the federation to align on vital strategies for revitalizing the team’s performance.
This marks the third consecutive men’s World Cup where Germany has failed to advance beyond the last 16. They have not won a knockout match since their victory over Argentina in the 2014 final.
Klopp praised Nagelsmann as an “excellent coach,” asserting that he should not be held responsible for the underlying issues facing the team. “German football is obviously at a turning point now,” he remarked. “Now we need to change things fundamentally. Whether that’s me in the end or whoever it may be, that doesn’t change the fact that changes are necessary.”
As a prominent figure at the World Cup, Klopp has provided analysis on German television, including participating in post-match interviews with Nagelsmann. Following the loss to Paraguay, he admitted he had not contemplated taking on the role of Germany’s coach.
