Germany want Jurgen Klopp as next manager
All change for Germany following World Cup exit
The German football association is seeking talks with Jurgen Klopp about becoming the men's national team coach after Julian Nagelsmann resigned.
Author | Ed
Nagelsmann requested to be relieved of his duties on Thursday following the team's early exit from the World Cup.
The German FA (DFB) has now accepted that request and immediately terminated its contractual relationship with the 38-year-old former Bayern Munich manager.
Germany's World Cup campaign came to an end on Monday when the four-time champions were beaten on penalties by Paraguay in the last 32. The defeat sparked widespread debate in the German media over the changes needed to restore the national side's ability to compete at the highest level once again.
Initially Nagelsmann, who was appointed in 2023, was determined to remain in charge, saying after the game: "I'm not someone who runs away."
But in a statement on Friday, he said: "I've done a lot of thinking in the days since our elimination and have consulted with trusted individuals both personally and within the federation.The decision was anything but easy for me. My top priority has always been the team's success. After such a bitter disappointment, they deserve the chance for a fresh start."
This was Nagelsmann's second major tournament, with Germany having reached the Euro 2024 quarter-finals as hosts before losing in extra time to eventual winners Spain.
Germany have not won a World Cup knockout game since they were crowned champions in 2014. The team failed to progress beyond the group stage in both 2018 and 2022, under Joachim Low and Hansi Flick respectively.
READ MORE | More World Cup news and stories from European Super Football
Nagelsmann, who previously managed German club sides RB Leipzig and Hoffenheim, replaced Flick in September 2023, initially on a contract running until after Euro 2024. His contract was later extended to cover this year's World Cup and then further to Euro 2028.
DFB sporting director Rudi Voller said in a statement: "After the disappointing World Cup exit for everyone, Julian's decision deserves our respect, because he's taking responsibility where he'd like to continue shaping things, and putting the national team as a whole above himself.”
What has Klopp done since leaving Liverpool?
Klopp guided Liverpool to seven major trophies during his nine years at Anfield, including the Premier League title in 2019-20 and the Champions League in 2019.
The 59-year-old stepped down in 2024 before taking up the role of Red Bull’s head of global football in January 2025.
He has been regularly linked with a return to club management, most notably with Real Madrid in March, although he dismissed those reports as “all nonsense”.
Klopp’s presence at the World Cup, where he has been working as a television pundit for German broadcaster coverage, attracted almost as much attention as Germany’s campaign before the team’s elimination.
A jokey remark from Thomas Müller fuelled speculation that Klopp could replace the current Germany manager sooner rather than later, although he later apologised and insisted it had simply been a slip of the tongue.
The DFB has now confirmed, however, that Klopp is open to considering the role.
