Klopp open to Germany job after 2026 World Cup exit, talks pending
Synopsis
Jurgen Klopp has gone from reluctant bystander to willing candidate for the Germany job in the space of days — declaring himself 'more than recharged' after two years away from coaching. The catch: a Red Bull contract running to 2029 and a frank warning that no new coach alone can fix what ails German football.
Key Takeaways
Jurgen Klopp confirmed his interest in the Germany head coach role in an interview with MagentaTV on Saturday night.
Germany were eliminated by Paraguay in the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup , after which Julian Nagelsmann departed.
Klopp is contracted to Red Bull as Head of Global Soccer until the end of 2029 ; a release must be negotiated.
He must hold talks with Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff before any agreement with the DFB can be finalised.
Klopp argued German football needs fundamental structural reform , independent of who becomes the next coach.
Jurgen Klopp has confirmed he is open to succeeding Julian Nagelsmann as head coach of the Germany national football team, but stressed that formal discussions with the German Football Association (DFB) and his current employer Red Bull must first take place. The development marks a notable shift from Klopp's earlier reluctance, which followed Germany's disappointing exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
From Reluctance to Readiness
Speaking to broadcaster MagentaTV on Saturday night, the 59-year-old Klopp — who has served as Red Bull's Head of Global Soccer since January 2025 — said he now feels ready to return to hands-on coaching. He had stepped away from the dugout after leaving Liverpool two years ago, citing declining energy levels.
'The timing is not perfect now either. Nevertheless, it is better than it has ever been. I am now more than recharged. So I am ready,' Klopp said.
Contract with Red Bull a Key Hurdle
Klopp remains under contract with Red Bull until the end of 2029, and he was candid about the need to resolve that arrangement before any national team appointment could be finalised. He indicated he must speak directly with Red Bull chief executive Oliver Mintzlaff before any agreement is reached.
'I have an existing contract with Red Bull. I like to honour contracts,' Klopp said. He added that he believed Mintzlaff was 'relatively open' to discussions given his affinity for German football, but emphasised that those talks still needed to happen. Klopp said the ideal resolution would leave all parties satisfied.
Germany's World Cup Exit and Nagelsmann's Departure
Germany's campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup ended in the Round of 32 following a defeat to Paraguay — a result widely regarded as a significant underperformance. Nagelsmann subsequently departed, prompting the DFB to confirm it had reached out to Klopp regarding the vacant head coach position.
This comes amid broader scrutiny of the direction of German club and international football, with the national team's struggles reflecting deeper structural concerns rather than simply a coaching issue.
Klopp Calls for Fundamental Reform
Klopp was emphatic that Germany's footballing challenges go well beyond the question of who occupies the head coach's chair. He argued that systemic changes are essential regardless of who ultimately takes the role.
'The problems we currently have are not down to Julian Nagelsmann,' Klopp said. 'German football is at a turning point. We now must change things fundamentally.' He added: 'Whether that will be me in the end or whoever it will be does not change the fact that the changes are necessary.'
What Happens Next
The DFB is expected to hold formal talks with Klopp's camp and Red Bull in the coming days. Any appointment would require a contractual release negotiated with Red Bull, making Oliver Mintzlaff's position pivotal. Should an agreement be reached, Klopp would become one of the most high-profile national team appointments in world football — returning to management after a two-year hiatus.
Point of View
Or a genuine structural diagnosis that the DFB has so far been unwilling to confront publicly. The Red Bull contract complication is also telling: it signals that any appointment will be a negotiated favour, not a clean hire — which could limit Klopp's authority from day one.
NationPress
5 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Jurgen Klopp confirmed he will take the Germany coaching job?
Klopp has confirmed his interest and said he is ready to return to coaching, but has not accepted the role. Formal talks with both the DFB and Red Bull are still required before any appointment can be finalised.
Why did Germany exit the 2026 FIFA World Cup early?
Germany were eliminated by Paraguay in the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a result considered a significant underperformance. The exit led to Julian Nagelsmann's departure and triggered the search for a new head coach.
What is Jurgen Klopp's current role and why is his contract an issue?
Klopp has been Red Bull's Head of Global Soccer since January 2025 and is contracted until the end of 2029. Any move to the Germany job would require a negotiated release from Red Bull, making CEO Oliver Mintzlaff's agreement essential.
What did Klopp say about Germany's footballing problems?
Klopp argued that Germany's difficulties are structural and go beyond the identity of the national coach. He said German football is 'at a turning point' and that fundamental changes are necessary regardless of who takes charge.
Who is Jurgen Klopp and what is his coaching record?
Klopp is a 59-year-old German coach best known for his spells at Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool, where he won the Premier League and UEFA Champions League. He stepped down from Liverpool two years ago citing declining energy before joining Red Bull in a global executive role.
