Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says Jurgen Klopp will face "bigger problems" if he takes the Germany job with talks ongoing for the Liverpool legend to replace Julian Nagelsmann
12:38, 08 Jul 2026
Arsene Wenger, who now works as FIFA's chief of global football development.
Arsene Wenger, who now works as FIFA's chief of global football development.(Image: Eva Marie Uzcategui - FIFA via Getty Images)
Arsenal legend Arsene Wenger has questioned how much impact Jurgen Klopp will be able to have on the German national team as talks continue over the appointment.
Klopp is expected to be the man to replace Julian Nagelsmann, who stepped down after Germany was eliminated from the World Cup by Paraguay in the last-32. Currently employed by the Red Bull group, however, there are more steps required before Klopp is officially unveiled.
While Klopp's decision to move back into management will be welcomed by most in Germany, speaking on Toni Kroos' podcast, Einfach mal Luppen, Wenger expressed his reservations about the appointment.
"The name Klopp gives Germany hope of returning to the highest level," Wenger said. "But whether that will change everything, I'm not sure.
"You have bigger problems in Germany. Again: I'm not questioning the quality at all. But I don't know if he alone can solve all of Germany's problems. He's a smart man, he knows that himself.
"Nobody questions Klopp's quality. He's a top manager. You see it in Brazil, though: you brought them Carlo Ancelotti, and they're still the same players.
VANCOUVER, CANADA - JULY 07: Jurgen Klopp attends the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Switzerland and Colombia at BC Place Vancouver on July 07, 2026 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Maja Hitij - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Jurgen Klopp attends the World Cup 2026 round of 16 match between Switzerland and Colombia at BC Place Vancouver on July 07, 2026 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada(Image: Maja Hitij - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
"Good players need a great coach. And great managers need good players. You need both together."
Former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch believes that Klopp has long been eyeing the Germany job as he closes in on his return to coaching after two years out.
"I do think he always secretly wanted this job [after leaving Liverpool]," Crouch told Paddy Power. "It’s one of those jobs where you can get some time off but you’re still involved in everything that’s going football-wise.
"I imagine he’s got a little bit of a bug and desire for the Germany job.
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"I interviewed him a few weeks ago and he said he didn’t want to get back in just yet, but the international job is a pretty special one and slightly different to your average managerial role.
"Germany has very good players, but they didn’t feel like they were a team at all. They were very fractious. They had good moments but it was poor them going out the way they did.
"Klopp is a game-changer for them. I’d have absolutely loved to have played for him."
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Liverpool.com says: Klopp being in charge of Germany feels right, but Wenger is right about it being a tough job. The team lacks a lot of necessary profiles to compete with the best nations around and Klopp won't be able to solve that on his own.