Image Credits: Imago Images
Jurgen Klopp’s path back into management appears to be opening up faster than anyone expected.
The former Liverpool manager has been enjoying a break from day-to-day coaching since leaving Anfield in 2024, taking up a role as global head of football within the Red Bull network and working as a World Cup pundit.
Crucially, multiple reports claim that his contract with Red Bull includes a verbal or informal exit clause specifically designed to allow him to walk away if the DFB come calling, meaning he could leave his current role to take over the national team without protracted negotiation
Now it’s reported that Julian Naglesmann will step down as the Germany manager according to widespread reports, with Klopp open to be his successor.
German outlet BILD report: “Nagelsmann will step down as national coach.”
“At a three-hour secret summit on Thursday at the DFB headquarters in Frankfurt, the football bosses around president Bernd Neuendorf, Bundesliga president Hans-Joachim Watzke , sporting director Rudi Völler and DFB managing director Andreas Rettig, had asked Nagelsmann to explain his reasons for the failure in the World Cup in the sixteenth finals. The arguments of the still national coach were apparently not convincing enough.”
Meanwhile, Florian Plettenberg of Sky Germany has revealed that talks with the Liverpool legend to take over will begin soon:
“Jürgen Klopp is the DFB’s top candidate to succeed Julian Nagelsmann, as revealed. Concrete talks are expected to begin soon. He would be able to leave his current role for the DFB. As excl. reported, Klopp and Oliver Mintzlaff agreed on a verbal exit clause when he joined Red Bull, allowing him to make use of it if Germany came calling. Julian Nagelsmann resigned as Germany head coach today.”
🚨🧨 Jürgen Klopp is the DFB’s top candidate to succeed Julian Nagelsmann, as revealed. Concrete talks are expected to begin soon.
He would be able to leave his current role for the DFB. As excl. reported, Klopp and Oliver Mintzlaff agreed on a verbal exit clause when he joined… pic.twitter.com/YAqCNTfnqB
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) July 3, 2026