Jurgen Klopp is in talks to become the next Germany manager following Julian Nagelsmann's exit, and the role would see him reunite with Florian Wirtz — the Liverpool star he has previously called a 'once-in-a-century' talent
Nathan Ridley
22:05, 03 Jul 2026Updated 22:10, 03 Jul 2026
Jurgen Klopp pundit
Jurgen Klopp has had plenty to say about Florian wirtz(Image: Magenta TV)
Jurgen Klopp has never been reluctant to share his views on Florian Wirtz, and now the duo appears set to collaborate. While confirming Julian Nagelsmann's exit on Friday, the German football association (DFB) announced it will enter discussions with Klopp.
This comes after Germany's surprising World Cup elimination on Monday, when it suffered a penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay in the round of 32. Nagelsmann, 38, has resigned from his role, having been at the helm since September 2023.
His exit has opened the door for Klopp to assume control, with a provision in the former Liverpool boss's contract as Red Bull's Global Head of Soccer permitting him to take the Germany position. Among the players he would undoubtedly be working alongside is Wirtz, who endured a disappointing debut campaign at Liverpool following his £115 million ($153.5 million) transfer from Bayer Leverkusen, a British record at the time.
The attacking midfielder managed only seven goals and eight assists across 49 outings under Arne Slot, who was dismissed in May and succeeded by Andoni Iraola. Wirtz was expected to help Liverpool defend the Premier League crown, with Klopp convinced that the 23-year-old would elevate Slot's squad to greater heights.
Speaking to German broadcaster RTL, Klopp said of Wirtz's arrival: "It will be really, really great. I'm sure of it.... It's very difficult to strengthen them when you're champions. But Liverpool have managed that. They've signed an exceptional talent in Florian Wirtz."
Then in October, once it became apparent that Wirtz was finding it difficult to settle into Premier League football, Klopp declared on The Diary of a CEO podcast: "You all will eat your words if you use the wrong words with Florian Wirtz. He's an incredible talent and player."
Florian Wirtz cuts a dejected figure after Germany's loss to Paraguay
Florian Wirtz cuts a dejected figure after Germany's loss to Paraguay(Image: Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images)
Speaking to RTL during the same month, Klopp said: "I don't have to worry about Florian Wirtz because his quality is so outstanding. Of course, everything is fine, and everyone knows that. The discussion is certainly being blown out of proportion."
He added: "He's a once-in-a-century talent, and at some point he'll show that in every game again, as he did at Leverkusen. (He has) a stable environment at Liverpool, and the club is great in moments like these. If anyone's worried - you don't have to! You can stop."
Klopp's latest remarks about Wirtz came while serving as a pundit at the World Cup for another German broadcaster, Magenta. He offered insight into how he would deploy the Liverpool player to maximize his effectiveness.
Florian Wirtz had a mixed first season at Liverpool
Florian Wirtz had a mixed first season at Liverpool(Image: Paul ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
"The important thing is that we involve him in the game. There were moments against Curacao when I thought, 'just give him the ball'," Klopp explained when analyzing Germany's 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast.
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"If you really want Flo Wirtz to get into a rhythm, if you want the place to really be buzzing, then give him the ball, because that's when he feels completely at home. It's important to involve him because that's when Flo can feel confident and comfortable on the pitch.
"He shouldn't drop back and get the ball from his own penalty area and we expect him to start making plays, we have to find moments where we can use this position, because with his positioning he creates a lot of space for the players next to him, for the full-backs and for everyone who can make runs into those space."