Jurgen Klopp poised to take over as Germany national team coach after Nagelsmann exit
The former Liverpool manager is the leading candidate to replace Julian Nagelsmann following Germany's shock World Cup elimination by Paraguay
Julian Nagelsmann is out as Germany’s head coach, and the DFB appears to have its sights set on the one man German football fans have been dreaming about for years: Jurgen Klopp.
The coaching shakeup follows Germany’s painful exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they were knocked out by Paraguay on penalties on June 30.
From Euro optimism to World Cup heartbreak
Nagelsmann took over the Germany job in September 2023 after Hansi Flick’s departure. The DFB handed him a contract extension through Euro 2028.
German media outlets including Bild and Suddeutsche Zeitung reported that the DFB effectively encouraged Nagelsmann to resign. As of July 2, reports from within the federation indicated that Nagelsmann “no longer has a chance” to remain as head coach.
Enter Klopp
Klopp left Liverpool in 2024 after an iconic tenure at Anfield that included a Champions League title and a Premier League crown. Since then, he’s been working as head of global soccer at Red Bull, a role that keeps him in the sport without the relentless weekly grind of club management.
On July 1, he addressed the speculation directly.
“There’s nothing to say about it. I have a job that I enjoy very much.”
Klopp’s Red Bull role is a genuine commitment, not a placeholder gig. He has responsibilities across the Red Bull football ecosystem, and walking away would require careful negotiation.