Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has been confirmed as the new head coach of the Germany national team
New Germany national team coach and former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp
New Germany national team coach and former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp(Image: John MACDOUGALL / AFP via Getty Images)
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Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has warned he will walk away from his new role as Germany national team head coach if his family are hounded by the media.
Klopp was confirmed as the latest leader of Die Mannschaft following the resignation of Julian Nagelsmann after the failure to progress beyond the round of 32 at the recent World Cup in North America.
The 59-year-old has signed a contract until 2030 that will take him through the Euro 2028 championships in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland and the World Cup in Spain, Portugal and Morocco two years later.
Klopp will be assisted by former Liverpool coaches Pep Lijnders and Peter Krawietz along with former Germany international Sven Bender.
The German had been away from the dugout since leaving Anfield in 2024 after almost nine years in charge, instead spending almost two years as Red Bull's head of global soccer and most recently working as a pundit for German television at the World Cup.
And on his unveiling, Klopp made clear that it would be his last job as a manager after previous lengthy stints in charge of Mainz and Borussia Dortmund.
“I know full well this is job number one for me," he said. "It is my mission to make the national squad better and to hope the pool is made better for me to pick from.
“But it is not something I will do against you, but I’m doing it for you. I will be remunerated very graciously and if tomorrow Jurgen Klopp is s***, then I will be gone.
“If the DFB says ‘come on, let us not continue the job’ then that’s it.
“And if you (the media) behave badly and don’t let my family live in peace, I’ll be gone and just turn away.
“I know there are other countries where the national team coaches are treated even worse. I love this job, but I’m always ready to call it quits if needed.
“Jurgen Klopp is not going to have any ‘career’ after the national team, this is the pinnacle of my footballing career as coach. I will give everything I’ve got.”
Germany haven't reached the last 16 of the World Cup since winning the competition for a fourth time in 2014, and won the last of their three European Championships 30 years ago.
President of the German FA Bernd Neuendorf said: "Jurgen stands for passion, credibility and the ability to take people with him like few others. After the resignation of Julian Nagelsmann, he was our unequivocal first choice for the office of national coach.
"That's why we have consistently tried to get him. I would like to thank everyone who paved the way for this cooperation, especially Oliver Mintzlaff for the constructive discussions and his cooperative attitude, as well as Aki Watzke for his great support."
DFB sporting director Rudi Voller added: "Jurgen has proven over many years at the highest level that he develops young players and that his teams perform under pressure.
"He is also a great motivator who will take our fans and German football with him. I am looking forward to working together."