For a man who insisted he was stepping away from the intensity of the touchline, Jurgen Klopp has rarely been far from the centre of the conversation this summer.
The former Liverpool boss has spent the tournament in the United States as lead pundit for German broadcaster MagentaTV, yet his own future has generated almost as much noise as the football on the pitch.
UK ONLY
That speculation intensified after Germany crashed out of their own showpiece summer in the round of 32, beaten on penalties by Paraguay, a result that cost Julian Nagelsmann his job.
For a nation that has not won a World Cup knockout tie since lifting the trophy in 2014, the search for fresh direction quickly narrowed to one name.
Klopp, now 59, remains one of the most decorated coaches of his generation.
Nine years at Anfield delivered the club’s first league title in 30 years, alongside the 2019 Champions League and a stack of other silverware, while two Bundesliga crowns with Borussia Dortmund had confirmed his standing long before he ever reached Merseyside.
Since the beginning of 2025 he has served as head of global soccer for the Red Bull group, a post that ran until 2029.
It is that contract which has now been resolved.
Speaking to MagentaTV, and relayed by Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, Klopp confirmed he has cleared the final obstacle to taking charge of his national team.
“I’ve reached an agreement with Red Bull, a very generous arrangement.”
”So there’s nothing really standing in the way anymore.”
”Everything is heading in the right direction.”
”After the final, we’ll fly back and aim to get everything sorted as quickly as possible,” he said.
According to German outlet Bild, Red Bull have agreed to release Klopp from his deal without conditions, with sporting boss Oliver Mintzlaff giving his blessing after a run of meetings in New York.
The DFB are understood to have agreed a framework that would keep the 59 year old in charge until 2030, carrying him towards a home tournament cycle and beyond.
The timing is tidy.
With the World Cup final staged in New Jersey on Sunday, all parties are expected back on German soil before the paperwork is completed.
Reports suggest Klopp could be formally presented within days, with his first competitive assignment potentially arriving against the Netherlands in September.
For Liverpool supporters, the sight of their former manager back in a tracksuit will stir plenty of emotion.
He always said any return would need to be for the right reason.
Leading his own country, it seems, is exactly that.
🚨💣 Jürgen Klopp confirms our exclusive news of the day. “I’ve reached an agreement with Red Bull, a very generous arrangement. So there’s nothing really standing in the way anymore (…) Everything is heading in the right direction. After the final, we’ll fly back and aim to get… https://t.co/YMmT9kCErV
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) July 19, 2026