Recharged Jurgen Klopp takes Germany helm after World Cup shock

Recharged Jurgen Klopp has been confirmed as the new head coach of the Germany national team, arriving after the World Cup exit on 11 July when Germany lost to Paraguay on penalties in the last‑32 stage in a dramatic shoot‑out that decided the match.

The German Football Association (DFB) asked former coach Julian Nagelsmann to resign following the World Cup disappointment and then opened negotiations with Klopp to take over the head coach role.

Klopp explained that fatigue prompted his departure from Liverpool in 2024, but he now describes himself as “recharged”. The 59‑year‑old believes the break has restored his energy for the national role.

“The national team brings us Germans together like almost nothing else can. That's what makes this task so special for me,” Klopp said at his unveiling in Frankfurt on Friday morning during a press conference.

The DFB announced on Saturday 11 July that an agreement on the key points of Klopp’s contract had been reached after talks in New York. The deal runs until the 2030 World Cup.

Klopp’s previous managerial stint was with Liverpool, where he served nine years after taking charge in October 2015. He left at the end of the 2024 season, having won both the Premier League and the Champions League with the club.

Since January 2025 he has been Red Bull’s Head of Global Soccer, overseeing the group’s clubs such as RB Leipzig, Red Bull Salzburg and the New York Red Bulls. The role gave him oversight of the Red Bull football network worldwide.

During the recent World Cup he worked as a pundit, suggesting Deniz Undav should start ahead of Jamal Musiala and remarking “Julian Nagelsmann is still picking the team – for now.” Former German players criticised the “for now” comment, prompting Klopp to apologise and say he felt like “punching himself in the face”.

Earlier, Klopp had been coy about the national coach role, noting that his name is often mentioned but “it’s not the moment to really talk about it.” His Red Bull contract included a special exit clause that allowed him to leave the company to take the Germany job, designed to enable a swift transition.