Jurgen Klopp made his demands very clear immediately as he was introduced as the new Germany manager, a role that Peter Crouch believes he has been eyeing up for some time
20:54, 25 Jul 2026
Jurgen Klopp during a Germany press conference.
Jurgen Klopp during a Germany press conference.(Image: Markus Ulmer - GES Sportfoto/Getty Images)
Former Liverpool forward Peter Crouch reckons Jurgen Klopp had long harbored ambitions of taking charge of Germany following his departure from Anfield, despite the ex-Reds boss threatening to quit in his opening press conference.
Klopp was officially unveiled on Friday in his new role. After departing his Liverpool role in the summer of 2024 following nearly nine years at the helm, he issued a stark message to the German press at his official presentation, cautioning them: "If you go after my family, I am gone."
He stated: "I'm not doing this job for myself. I'm doing it for you. I'm taking this job even though I've seen how you've treated Julian Nagelsmann. I'm taking it even though I've seen how you've treated Thomas Tuchel.
"If you go after my family, I'm gone. If you think I'm rubbish, tell me to my face and I'll leave immediately, without asking for any compensation."
But Crouch says Klopp had long been eyeing the job. While he positioned himself almost as doing his country a favor, there is no doubt that he is excited by the prospect too.
"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. 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.
Jurgen Klopp speaks to Peter Crouch on the former Liverpool striker's podcast, April 2026
"Germany has very good players, but they didn't feel like they were a team at all (at the World Cup). 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."
Red Bull chief Oliver Mintzlaff has disclosed that he and fellow senior figures within the organization backed Klopp's choice to take up the Germany manager's position.
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The former Anfield boss joined the company as head of global football in early 2025, though he had a gentlemen's agreement with the firm permitting him to depart should he wish to assume the Germany role.
"Jurgen has left a lasting mark on our football philosophy through his vision, experience and leadership," said Mintzlaff, Red Bull CEO Corporate Projects and Investments.
"We are deeply grateful for everything he has contributed and wish him every success as he takes on this exceptional responsibility with the German National Team."
He continued: "This wasn't an easy decision but together with my fellow managing directors, Franz Watzlawick and Alexander Kirchmayr, we decided to support his ambition.
New Germany head coach Jurgen Klopp speaks in a press conference
Ex-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has been appointed as head coach of the Germany national team(Image: Photo by Markus Ulmer - GES Sportfoto/Getty Images)
"The opportunity to support Germany during a challenging period and to take on one of the most important roles in German football is of great significance to him.
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"For that we needed a clear and consistent solution so that Jurgen could devote his full attention to his responsibilities with the DFB.
"Giving wings to talent has always been at the heart of what Red Bull does. We will continue to invest in identifying and developing the next generation of players and coaches, while further strengthening the structures and expertise to compete at the highest level."
The 59-year-old, who put pen to paper on a four-year deal with the DFB, links up once again with former Liverpool assistants Pep Lijnders and Peter Krawietz.