Newly appointed head coach of the German national soccer team Juergen Klopp attends a news conference at the headquarters of the German Football Association DFB in Frankfurt, Germany, Friday, July 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
Newly appointed head coach of the German national soccer team Juergen Klopp attends a news conference at the headquarters of the German Football Association DFB in Frankfurt, Germany, Friday, July 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
Jurgen Klopp has stamped his authority immediately after being unveiled as Germany’s new head coach, warning he will quit if his family are mistreated.
During his near-decade in charge of Liverpool, Klopp made one thing clear: while he loved the day-to-day life as a manager, he grew tired of the media.
His decision to sign a four-year contract as new Germany head coach comes at a time when their national press holds a reputation for being particularly intense.
Julian Nagelsmann was hounded out of his position after an early exit from the World Cup, with Klopp himself forced to apologise for his comments about the then-head coach when working as a pundit at the tournament.
But in a press conference to confirm his appointment, Klopp sent the media a fierce warning: “I’m always ready to call it quits.”
Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp (centre) speaks to MagentaTV following the FIFA World Cup round of 32 match at Boston Stadium, United States. Picture date: Monday June 29, 2026.
Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp (centre) speaks to MagentaTV following the FIFA World Cup round of 32 match at Boston Stadium, United States. Picture date: Monday June 29, 2026.
“I know full well this is job number one for me. It is my mission to make the national squad better and to hope the pool is made better for me to pick from,” he is quoted by the Liverpool Echo.
“But it is not something I will do against you, 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 [in 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.”
Klopp hints Germany will be his final job as manager
Newly appointed head coach of the German national soccer team Juergen Klopp attends a news conference at the headquarters of the German Football Association DFB in Frankfurt, Germany, Friday, July 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
Newly appointed head coach of the German national soccer team Juergen Klopp attends a news conference at the headquarters of the German Football Association DFB in Frankfurt, Germany, Friday, July 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
Klopp was previously approached for the Germany job while still at Liverpool but rebuffed advances from the DFB, however it has long seemed a forgone conclusion that he would eventually take over.
He does so having negotiated an exit from his contract with Red Bull, which will see a €1 million donation to their ‘Wings for Life’ foundation and three games to be played at Leipzig’s Red Bull Arena.
The 59-year-old will be joined by former Liverpool assistants Pepijn Lijnders and Peter Krawietz, as well as former Dortmund midfielder Sven Bender, while agent and long-time friend Marc Kosicke will take up a strategic role.
“Jurgen Klopp is not going to have any ‘career’ after the national team, this is the pinnacle of my footballing career as coach,” the Liverpool legend continued.
“I will give everything I’ve got.”
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