Jürgen Klopp appointed Germany head coach until 2030, vows pressing style and World Cup ambition

Appointment and contract

Jürgen Klopp was officially presented as the new head coach of the German national football team on Friday at the DFB headquarters in Frankfurt. The 59-year-old signed a contract that runs until the 2030 World Cup, becoming the 13th coach in the federation's nearly 100-year history. He succeeds Julian Nagelsmann, who resigned after Germany's round-of-16 exit at the 2026 World Cup in North America, where the team lost to Paraguay on penalties (1-1, 4-3 in the shootout).

It is a great honour to be here today. I already had an idea of how important the role of Germany coach is. But when your name is associated with this role, you feel its scope and responsibility even more. Knowing where I come from, I could never have imagined reaching such a position.

The path to the job

Negotiations between the DFB and Klopp began during the World Cup itself, while Klopp was in New York working as a television pundit for Magenta Sport. At the time, he was under contract with Red Bull as Head of Global Soccer, a role he had held since leaving Liverpool in 2024. The deal required a release clause: the DFB agreed to donate one million euros to the Wings for Life foundation, and the city of Leipzig will host three future Germany matches. The agreement was reached several weeks ago, but the official unveiling took place only on 24 July 2026.

Klopp's tactical vision

At his first press conference, Klopp outlined a clear playing philosophy. He stressed that pressing would be a central element, alongside a stable structure and a defined game plan. He ruled out man-to-man marking and confirmed Germany would play with a back four, noting that recent World Cup winners have used that system. Wingers will be key, because "in today's football the playmakers are the wide players." Klopp also issued a blunt warning about media scrutiny, referencing the treatment of his predecessors.

I take this job even though I saw how you treated Julian Nagelsmann and Thomas Tuchel. If you go after my family, I leave!

He promised to give opportunities to unexpected players and said he wants fans to leave the stadium saying "Wow!" even if success does not come immediately. Klopp declared that anyone with the right to play for Germany will have a chance, calling it a new beginning where no one is excluded.

Ambitions and challenges

Klopp did not hide his ultimate goal: winning the 2030 World Cup. He acknowledged that Germany currently trails teams like France in individual quality but insisted that does not make them unbeatable. "I thought about what it would be like if in four years we became world champions. It is an extraordinary feeling," he said. The task is significant: Germany has not advanced beyond a quarter-final at a European Championship or World Cup since reaching the Euro 2016 semi-finals. Klopp's appointment marks a return to the German bench after his earlier stints at Mainz (2001–2008) and Borussia Dortmund (2008–2015), and his trophy-laden period at Liverpool (2015–2024).

Reaction from the federation

DFB president Bernd Neuendorf said Klopp was the federation's first choice from the start. "He is full of energy and very motivated," Neuendorf stated, confirming the contract runs until the end of the 2030 tournament. The deal ends weeks of speculation and sets the stage for a new era in German football.