Jurgen Klopp is set to hold talks with officials from the German FA in New York next week about becoming the national team boss, according to Sky in Germany.
The former Liverpool boss confirmed his interest in succeeding Julian Nagelsmann and that he had been approached about the role in an interview with Magenta TV on Friday.
“Yes, I can confirm the talks,” he said. “Things moved along quite quickly. Julian has resigned and the DFB is working on a successor. And in the course of these considerations, they approached me.”
The German Football Association does not believe it will be an issue getting Klopp out of his current job as global head of football at Red Bull.
It would be the first time the German FA has paid a fee to appoint a coach, with Klopp having a contract with Red Bull until 2029 which includes a special exit clause for the Germany job.
Klopp said: “I have an existing contract with Red Bull. I’ve said many times how much I enjoy this job. As a person, I usually honour contracts. But I’ve also made it clear that I’m interested in talks with the DFB.
Klopp said he does not expect his current employers to stand in his way – and is ready to return to management in the capacity as a national team boss two years after his Liverpool exit.
“Now isn’t the perfect timing. But it’s better than it’s ever been. I’m more than refuelled now, I’m ready,” Klopp said.
Klopp eyeing up first managerial job in two years
Nagelsmann stepped down from the role after Germany’s shock World Cup last-32 exit against Paraguay.
DFB president Bernd Neuendorf said in a statement on Friday: “The German Football Association expressly thanks Julian Nagelsmann for his work since September 2023. He is characterised by a high level of commitment and extraordinary ambition. Julian Nagelsmann is also an extremely responsible and sincere person whom we all value.”
The statement added: “Regarding the appointment of a new coach, the DFB leadership will now seek talks with Jurgen Klopp. He has already signalled his general willingness to take on the position.”
If Klopp makes the move it would be his first coaching job since leaving Liverpool in 2024.
Nagelsmann, 38, took charge of Germany in September 2023 and guided the nation to the Euro 2024 quarter-finals, where they were beaten by eventual winners Spain.
Germany were knocked out of the 2026 World Cup by Paraguay on penalties, following a 1-1 draw after extra-time in Boston. They had topped Group E on goal difference after thrashing newcomers Curacao 7-1 in their opening game and beating Ivory Coast 2-1, before a 2-1 defeat to Ecuador.
“I am not someone who runs away,” Nagelsmann had said after the 2014 winners were dumped out.
“This is not the first time this has happened, and there are some things about today that need to be changed.
“But if the DFB wants me to continue I am going to continue. I know the mechanics of football, I know how the industry works.
“I know a lot of people will want me to leave but I would love to continue if the football association wants me to.”
Klopp coaching Germany ‘would be dream come true’
Sky Germany reporter Dennis Bayer:
“It would be a dream come true that many Germans had for a lot of years.
“For more-or-less a decade, people in Germany have been talking about how good it would be if Jurgen Klopp would become the national coach and now it seems like it is going to happen.
“The DFB itself confirmed that it will talk with Jurgen Klopp in the next days – and he has already given his initial go [ahead] and said that he could imagine being Germany next national coach.
“He’s still in a job in Leipzig as head of global soccer (for the Red Bull group) and there are talks that have to be made.
“But there is a good chance that Jurgen Klopp returns to the sidelines and becomes the new head coach of Germany. That’s something that many, many, many Germans have wanted for years.”
