Jurgen Klopp agrees to become next Germany head coach

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Jürgen Klopp has agreed to become the next head coach of the German national team, marking a sensational return to management more than two years after his emotional departure from Liverpool.

The 59-year-old has given the green light to the German Football Association (DFB) project, with negotiations now focused on finalising long contract details and terms for his exit from the RB Group.Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed the development with his trademark “here we go” announcement, declaring: “Klopp has accepted to take over; long term contract details, project and RB Group exit still under discussion, but he will be the new head coach.”

Klopp will step into the vacancy left by Julian Nagelsmann, who resigned on Friday following Germany’s shock round-of-32 elimination by Paraguay on penalties at the 2026 World Cup.It marked the third consecutive men’s World Cup in which Germany failed to reach the last 16.

“I’m more than recharged. I’m ready.”

Speaking to German broadcaster MagentaTV, Klopp confirmed he had been approached by the DFB and expressed his readiness to return to coaching.

“About two years ago I stopped at Liverpool and said that I lacked the energy for another job or for another year with Liverpool,” Klopp said. “Since then I’m more than recharged, I’m ready.”

He added: “The timing is not perfect now either. Nevertheless, it is better than it has ever been. I am now more than recharged. So I am ready.”

Contract negotiations and RB Group exit

Klopp remains under contract with Red Bull until the end of 2029, having joined the organisation as Head of Global Soccer in January 2025.However, his contract includes an exit clause for him to manage Germany at international level, which he intends to activate.

The DFB leadership will now seek intensive talks with Klopp’s representatives and Red Bull chief executive Oliver Mintzlaff.

“I know that German football is close to Oliver Mintzlaff’s heart and that he is therefore relatively open to these talks, but they still have to be held,” Klopp said.

Reports indicate the DFB may need to pay a compensation fee of around €7 million to release Klopp from his Red Bull contract.Klopp insisted any resolution must leave all parties satisfied: “Red Bull needs to be able to handle a possible departure properly.”

Discussions are ongoing regarding whether Klopp’s contract will run until Euro 2028 or the 2030 World Cup.

Long-term vision for German football

Klopp is reportedly being granted sweeping powers to overhaul the entire national team set-up, including restructuring youth development categories and implementing his high-intensity philosophy.

The former Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool manager has been clear that Germany’s struggles run deeper than the identity of the head coach.

“Julian Nagelsmann is an excellent coach. The problems we currently have are not down to him,” Klopp said. “German football is at a turning point. We now must change things fundamentally.”

He stressed that reform is necessary regardless of who takes charge: “Whether that will be me in the end or whoever it will be does not change the fact that the changes are necessary.”

A nation in crisis

Germany’s loss to Paraguay is the latest in a series of setbacks for the four-time world champions.They suffered group-stage World Cup exits in both Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022, and have not won a knockout match since the 2014 World Cup final.

Nagelsmann, who had been contracted until after Euro 2028, was reportedly offered a severance package of approximately €7 million to step aside.His resignation came after a three-hour meeting at DFB headquarters in Frankfurt.

“The decision was anything but easy for me,” Nagelsmann said in his resignation statement. “My top priority has always been the success of the team. After such a bitter disappointment, it deserves the chance of a new beginning.”

What lies ahead

If confirmed, Klopp’s first match in charge would be a UEFA Nations League fixture away to the Netherlands in September.

Red Bull had considered Oliver Glasner as Klopp’s potential replacement, but the Austrian has instead signed with Nottingham Forest.

Klopp’s return to the dugout ends a two-year hiatus from management following his departure from Liverpool in 2024, where he won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and two Carabao Cups during eight-and-a-half trophy-laden years.

The DFB is expected to finalise the appointment in the coming days, with all parties scheduled to meet in New York next week to resolve outstanding details.