Christian Heidel, who worked with Jurgen Klopp at Mainz, has explained the two reasons that the Liverpool legend is taking on the perfect job as national team head coach
22:02, 05 Jul 2026
Jurgen Klopp before the World Cup game between Norway and Brazil.
Jurgen Klopp before the World Cup game between Norway and Brazil.(Image: Elsa/Getty Images)
Mainz sporting director Christian Heidel, who worked alongside Jurgen Klopp for seven years at the German club and knows him well, has backed the Liverpool legend to succeed as Julian Nagelsmann's replacement.
Klopp is set to hold formal talks about leaving his role with the Red Bull group to take on the German national team job. Nagelsmann resigned after his side's defeat on penalties at the World Cup.
While nothing is confirmed yet, Klopp wants the position, and it is not thought that the Red Bull hierarchy will stand in his way. He could reunite with former Liverpool assistant coach Pep Lijnders, who has been out of work since leaving Manchester City this summer.
"Jurgen Klopp's greatest strength is his ability to connect with people," Heidel told BILD. "He's a people person. With the national team, it primarily comes down to two things.
"You have to select the right players and you have to be able to inspire these players and, in your external communications, simply inspire the public. If anyone can do that, it's Jurgen Klopp."
According to Sky Germany, the first phone call between the German FA and the Red Bull group only took place today, with plenty still to sort out. All parties will supposedly meet next week in New York to discuss the next steps.
Jurgen Klopp attends the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L match between England and Croatia at Dallas Stadium
Jurgen Klopp is closing in on the Germany job but there are still issues to work out(Image: (Photo by Maja Hitij - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images))
Klopp and his agent, Marc Kosicke, are yet to reach a full agreement with Germany regarding the vacancy at this stage.
For example, there is a decision to be made on whether the Liverpool legend's contract will run until 2028, after the next European Championship, or 2030, after the next World Cup.
"Yes, I can confirm the talks," Klopp said on Magenta TV when asked about his interest in the vacancy. "Things moved pretty quickly. Julian stepped down. The DFB are looking for a successor, and they’re talking to me.
"I’m under contract with Red Bull. I’ve said I’m interested in the talks. They will be intensive because this isn’t only about Julian Nagelsmann.
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"I also have to speak with Oliver Mintzlaff. He’s my employer. We’ve already touched on a few things. I assume he won’t stand in the way. I’ve been there for 19 months. It was an intense time."
Should he take over, Klopp's first game is set to be a UEFA Nations League tie with the Netherlands, where he could reunite with the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, and Ryan Gravenberch.
Liverpool.com says: It feels like a natural fit for Klopp to take the Germany job. It is a role that is less demanding than a club position and means he can still keep a lot of the lifestyle that he has now.
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There are risks attached, however. Anything other than winning a major tournament would be hard to dress up as a success, and Germany is a long way off that at the moment.