DFB appoints Jurgen Klopp as Germany head coach amid structural overhaul
Klopp warns he will resign without severance if the federation loses confidence, as the German Football Association seeks to restore stability after successive tournament failures.
The German Football Association (DFB) has formally appointed Jurgen Klopp as the new head coach of the national team, confirming the decision during a press conference on Friday. The 59-year-old succeeds Julian Nagelsmann, who stepped down following Germany’s elimination by Paraguay in the round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup. Klopp has signed a four-year contract that runs until the 2030 World Cup, marking a significant leadership change for German football.
Klopp, who left Liverpool ahead of the summer of 2024 and subsequently worked as Red Bull’s head of soccer, stated he would resign immediately if the federation lost confidence in him. He emphasised that he would leave without any severance pay if the association deemed him unfit, noting that criticism was acceptable but personal attacks on his family were not. "The day you don't want me anymore, I'm gone," Klopp said, adding that he views this role as the highlight of his career and has no plans for a position after the national team.
The appointment follows a period of decline for the German side, which crashed out in the group stages of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups after winning the title in 2014. Klopp aims to overhaul team structures and playing style, expressing a desire to present the national team in a "positive light." He indicated he is keen to work with players who want to play an enjoyable style of football, even if it is not immediately successful, and plans to watch games involving eligible players in every country where they are based.
The DFB confirmed that the coaching staff will consist of Peter Krawietz, Pepijn Lijnders, and Sven Bender as assistant coaches. In a parallel administrative change, Per Mertesacker is set to replace Andreas Rettig as DFB managing director at the end of the year. Klopp’s first match in charge is scheduled for 24 September against an unnamed opponent, with the team targeting success at the 2028 UEFA Euro and the 2030 World Cup.
Klopp acknowledged that Germany is not currently ranked in the top tier of world football, noting there are 11 nations ahead of them in the rankings. However, he argued that Germany can still defeat teams like France, Spain, and Argentina through their style of play. "The most important thing is to look at ourselves and how we play football," he said, asserting that the focus must remain on internal performance rather than external comparisons.
