Klopp appointed Germany manager with warning to DFB over coach treatment
Jurgen Klopp has been named head coach of the German national team, pledging to rebuild the squad while issuing a stark ultimatum to the German Football Association regarding the treatment of previous managers.
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 shift in the federation’s approach to leadership.
Klopp described his appointment as a “personality hire” intended to replace the “blandness” of previous tactical-focused managers. He stated he is not doing the job for himself but “for you,” adopting a “messiah” gimmick to signal a new era. The DFB believes his charisma and proven track record at Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund, and Mainz are necessary to galvanise the country after years of underperformance in knockout stages.
However, Klopp issued a stern warning to the DFB and the public regarding the treatment of previous coaches. He stated he will resign without severance pay if subjected to similar hostility or if his family is not left in peace. “The day you don't want me anymore, I'm gone – without any severance pay. If you say tomorrow that he's s***, I'm gone,” Klopp said, referencing the treatment of Nagelsmann and Thomas Tuchel.
To emulate the success of his tenure at Liverpool, Klopp plans to appoint former Liverpool assistants Pep Lijnders and Peter Krawietz to his coaching staff. Lijnders recently spent a season with Klopp’s former rival Pep Guardiola. The former of whom just spent a season with Klopp’s storied rival Pep Guardiola. There were fantasies about this rivalry being renewed on the international stage amid Guardiola’s talks with Italy, only for the Catalan to say no to Paolo Maldini and co.
Klopp indicated that this role may be the culmination of his career, with no plans for a post-national team dugout role. “Ideally, this is the highlight of my career,” he said. His first match in charge is scheduled against traditional rivals the Netherlands in September, providing the first test of whether his personality-driven approach can revive German football.
