Klopp confirms negotiations to become Germany coach after Nagelsmann resigns following World Cup exit
Jürgen Klopp has confirmed he is in negotiations to become Germany's next head coach, hours after Julian Nagelsmann resigned following the team's penalty shootout loss to Paraguay in the World Cup round of 32.
World Cup exit
Germany's 2026 World Cup campaign ended in the round of 32 on June 29, when they lost to Paraguay on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Boston Stadium. It was the third consecutive men's World Cup in which Germany failed to reach the round of 16, and the team has not won a knockout match since the 2014 final against Argentina. The defeat came after an uneven group stage: a 7-1 win over Curacao was followed by unconvincing performances against Ivory Coast and a loss to Ecuador.
Nagelsmann steps down
Julian Nagelsmann initially said he was willing to stay on and fulfill a contract running until 2028, but resigned on July 3 following a three-hour meeting with DFB executives. In a statement, the 38-year-old said, "After such a bitter disappointment, the team deserves the chance for a fresh start." DFB president Bernd Neuendorf thanked Nagelsmann for his work since September 2023, noting his commitment and ambition. Nagelsmann had led Germany to the quarter-finals of Euro 2024, but the early World Cup exit proved decisive.
Klopp confirms talks
Hours after Nagelsmann's departure, the DFB announced it would seek talks with Jürgen Klopp, saying the former Liverpool manager had "signaled his general willingness" to take over. Klopp, speaking from New York on Magenta TV, confirmed the approach. "About two years ago I stopped at Liverpool and said that I lacked the energy for another job. Since then I'm more than recharged, I'm ready," he said. The 59-year-old is currently Red Bull's Head of Global Soccer, a role he has held since late 2024. He acknowledged that his contract complicates a swift move. "I have an existing contract with Red Bull. I like to honour contracts. But I am interested in having talks. They will have to be intensive talks," Klopp said, adding that he needs to speak with Red Bull boss Oliver Mintzlaff to ensure the company "comes out of this cleanly." Reports indicate his contract includes a clause allowing him to leave for the Germany job.
- Germany lose to Paraguay on penalties in World Cup round of 32
- Julian Nagelsmann resigns as head coach
- DFB announces talks with Jürgen Klopp; Klopp confirms willingness
Deeper problems
Klopp stressed that Nagelsmann was not to blame for Germany's deeper malaise. "German soccer is obviously at a turning point now. Now we need to change things fundamentally," he said. The New York Times reported internal discord within the squad, including complaints about family travel arrangements, cockroaches at the team hotel, and boredom. Former players Lothar Matthäus and Dietmar Hamann publicly criticized team management and player scouting. Klopp's own role as a pundit during the tournament added pressure: he caused a stir by saying "for now" when discussing Nagelsmann's team selections, later apologizing.
What's next
If an agreement is reached, Klopp will face the task of reviving a national team that has underperformed for a decade. He said the next coach must aim to win Euro 2028, but acknowledged that Germany must first rebuild its identity. "We were football Germany. In order to become that force again, we've really got to give it our all," he said. The DFB has not set a timeline, but the public expectation is that Klopp's appointment is a formality.
