July 24 – Germany have turned to Jürgen Klopp in an attempt to revive the national team, appointing the former Liverpool and Dortmund manager as head coach through to the 2030 World Cup.
The 59-year-old succeeds Julian Nagelsmann, whose tenure came to an abrupt end following Germany’s shock last-32 exit to Paraguay at this summer’s World Cup. Klopp’s first match in charge will be away to the Netherlands in the UEFA Nations League on September 24.
It marks Klopp’s return to frontline management for the first time since leaving Liverpool in 2024. He walked away from Anfield after nine years, saying he was exhausted, before taking up a behind-the-scenes role as Red Bull’s head of global football and appearing on-screen as a pundit during the World Cup.
“This is ideally the high point of my career, of my life, my professional life,” Klopp said at his unveiling in Frankfurt. “I will give it everything I have. The national team brings us Germans together like almost nothing else can. That’s what makes this task so special for me.”
Klopp also insisted he would not seek compensation if things failed to work out, adding that he would resign if necessary. He did, however, make one request of the German media, saying he wanted his family to be left out of the spotlight.
Red Bull agreed to release Klopp from his contract early. In return, the German Football Association (DFB) will donate €1 million to the company’s Wings for Life charity and stage three Germany internationals in Leipzig before 2030.
DFB president Bernd Neuendorf described Klopp’s arrival as a major coup after one of the most disappointing tournaments in Germany’s recent history.
Klopp inherits a side under growing pressure to re-establish itself among international football’s elite. Germany’s elimination by Paraguay extended a humiliating period for the four-time world champions, whose performances at major tournaments have fallen off a cliff since winning the World Cup in 2014.
Klopp’s first task will be the Nations League, where Germany face the Netherlands, Greece and Serbia before switching attention to qualifying for Euro 2028. His contract runs through to the end of the 2030 World Cup, where his side will look to better their round of 32 exit from this summer.
The DFB also confirmed that former Germany defender Per Mertesacker will join the federation as managing director for sport from January. After eight years overseeing Arsenal’s academy, Mertesacker will lead the men’s national team pathway with a particular focus on developing young players capable of progressing to the senior squad.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at [email protected]