Jurgen Klopp has been out of the managerial game since leaving Liverpool at the end of 2023/24, but could be set for a return on the sidelines in the very near future
Jurgen Klopp looks
Jurgen Klopp has been linked with the Germany job(Image: Getty Images)
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Jurgen Klopp has found himself as the frontrunner for a head coaching role with the German national team, after calls for Julian Nagelsmann to quit. The Germans were sent packing from the World Cup prematurely following a disastrous penalty shootout defeat against Paraguay on Monday.
Germany got off to an incredibly bright start in North America, securing a 7-1 thrashing of Curacao and a 2-1 win over the Ivory Coast. However, they started to show cracks during their final Group C fixture, suffering a narrow 2-1 loss to Ecuador.
And their tournament came crashing down earlier this week before it had truly begun, after being held to a 1-1 draw with Paraguay. A penalty shootout then ensued to break the deadlock after 30 minutes of additional time, with misses from Kai Havertz, Nick Woltemade and Jonathan Tah giving the South Americans a 4-3 win from the spot.
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And as a result, Nagelsmann has faced widespread calls to vacate his position, having failed to even come close to silverware since his appointment in October 2023. On top of their round of 32 loss to Paraguay at the World Cup, Germany were dumped out of Euro 2024 in the quarter-finals via a 2-1 loss to Spain after extra-time.
They also finished a disappointing fourth in the 2025 UEFA Nations League Finals. While Nagelsmann has insisted that he remains the right man for the job, German officials may see it differently after he was summoned to a three-hour meeting at the DFB headquarters in Frankfurt on Thursday, as per BILD.
There, it is claimed that the head coach was afforded an opportunity to explain his view of Germany's elimination, while he was also questioned over his tactical decisions, as well as a 'family and friends atmosphere' surrounding Germany's training camp.
Concerns had also previously been raised over the presence of Nagelsmann's girlfriend, Lena Wurzenberger, around the first team. She was spotted at Germany's pre-tournament camp in Frankfurt, as well as watching substitutes warm down following the nation's win over Curacao.
As per the Mail, reporters had speculated: "There is naturally always that feeling that when the boss's wife is in the room, you might not always be completely honest at the table when talking about the national coach."
Julian Nagelsmann reacts
Julian Nagelsmann has failed to succeed with Germany(Image: Getty Images)
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Elsewhere, Lothar Matthaus suggested that there had been team disputes caused by WAGs, claiming that players had been distracted by arranging travel for their respective families.
Should DFB opt for a change of face, Klopp is unsurprisingly the favourite to take up the reins next, priced at 2/5 by certain bookmakers. The 59-year-old has been away from the managerial game since parting ways with Liverpool at the end of the 2023/24 season, following a trophy-laden nine-year spell, including Champions League and Premier League triumphs.
In the years since, Klopp has been at the helm of global soccer for Red Bull, but could see himself back in the dugout if the ideal opportunity arises. Asked about the job in the aftermath of Germany's World Cup exit, he told Magenta TV: "I haven't thought about that yet.
"I understand that when the national coach position is discussed, my name is mentioned in some form. But it's not the moment to really talk about it.
"There's nothing to say about it. I have a job that I enjoy very much. As far as I know, it's not a part-time job."
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Should Klopp succeed Nagelsmann, his first job would be to compete for the 2026 Nations League, which kicks off in autumn. He would then swiftly turn his attention to Euro 2028 qualification across the UK and Ireland.
Meanwhile, in the wake of a lacklustre World Cup, Nagelsmann said: "When you exit the World Cup after you play Paraguay it is very bitter. It is very hurtful. This is the third elimination in a row, so we are not part of the first-class teams any more."
He added: "If we're going to do a survey today in Germany, people are not going to speak about me positively obviously. I did feel the support in the stadium.
"I don't think everyone in Germany will agree with me staying on and continuing as manager of the team. I'd like to praise all the German fans who came to the stadium.
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"I expected a totally different reaction from them but it was amazing and impressive the way they supported us, even after the defeat. I'm not going to step back only because we are eliminated.
"If the DFB [German football association] want me to continue, I am going to continue. I know how the industry works and a lot of people now want me to leave. I want to continue if the German FA wants me to."