Jurgen Klopp is the strong favorite to become Germany’s new head coach. In recent years, the charismatic 59-year-old was seen as the ideal candidate. In recent weeks, he has been a boss in waiting. With Julian Nagelsmann’s departure now confirmed, Klopp’s arrival seems to be a formality, especially after the announcement by the German FA (DFB) that negotiations have begun and that Klopp has shown a “willingness” to take the job in principle.
Germany’s last three World Cups have ended in disappointment, with two group-stage exits and most recently a knockout loss to Paraguay in the round of 32. Euro 2024 was more positive, but generally Germany has not enjoyed a successful tournament since Euro 2016. For the four-time World Cup winners and three-time European champions, a decade-long run of disappointment has fallen well short of expectations.
a candidate in waiting
Klopp’s vision for the Germany job has been a long time coming. Even when he took over as “Head of Global Soccer” for Red Bull in late October 2024, there were reports that either his contract included a clause allowing him to become head coach of Germany in the future or that he had a gentleman’s agreement to do so.
And during this World Cup, his role as a pundit for Magenta TV has brought him closer to the job. His analysis has been seen as on point, but Klopp caused a stir by saying, “Fortunately, it is Julian Nagelsmann who is picking the team. For now.” Those two words stuck with Nagelsmann, and even though Klopp apologized, it almost felt as if he knew his time was almost at hand.
After the defeat to Paraguay, Klopp continued to distance himself from work, saying it was not the time to talk about it.
“When the next tournament comes and whoever is the head coach is asked what is your goal? If they don’t say, ‘European champion’ then people will say, ‘Don’t you have any ambitions? We are Germany!’ No, we were football Germany. To become that force again, we really have to give everything,” Klopp said on Magenta TV.
Klopp was involved in his job at Red Bull providing “strategic vision and support” as well as helping “develop coaches”. However, his role in the sacking of RB Leipzig head coach Ole Werner after only one season has been viewed critically in the media. Werner led RB Leipzig to third place in the Bundesliga and returned the club to the Champions League.
a popular personality
His success in the dugout and his warm, funny character have made him a fan favorite at most venues in Germany. After playing at Mainz, he took the club to the Bundesliga for the first time. His departure was emotional, as Klopp and many in the crowd were in tears.
At Borussia Dortmund, he won consecutive Bundesliga titles, and took the club to the Champions League final in 2013. Most recently, he spent nine years with Liverpool, where he led them to their first league title in more than a quarter of a century, as well as glory in the 2019 Champions League Final. They have a history of leading clubs with strong working-class roots to success, which allows them to maintain a bond with the core values of the respective clubs. In combination with his overall style of coaching, Klopp is viewed as one of the best coaches in the world.
During a break from coaching, Klopp was awarded the highest civilian award in Germany as a result of his outstanding contribution to democracy and his influence on the football world. He was credited with becoming a role model, football ambassador and person who improved Germany’s image around the world, especially in the United Kingdom.
Lately his face has become difficult to ignore. Famous for his spate of endorsements, Klopp has cemented his status as one of the most famous Germans rather than a great football coach.
Can Klopp lead Germany to Euro 2028 glory?
With Euro 2028 in the United Kingdom and Ireland, Klopp will be familiar with a lot of the stadiums in the country and the way football works. However, they have a long way to go for the title.
His first game in charge will be against the Netherlands in the Nations League in Amsterdam on 24 September. This will mark the beginning of a new format of the international break. Unlike previous years, where there were three two-week international breaks in September, October and November, the September and October breaks will merge into one in the 2026–27 season. November will also be the same.
It means Klopp will be in charge of the team for the first time and will take a three-week break at the end of September, with Germany playing Greece in Augsburg three days after the Amsterdam game. Four days after that, Germany will play Serbia in Munich before finishing the international break against Greece in Thessaloniki on October 4. This long break will give Klopp a chance to hit the ground running and create real clarity about his playing style and who will be the core part of his Germany team.
Although it may be some time before an official announcement comes, that won’t stop Germany fans from dreaming about what their team will look like under Klopp. Heavy metal football, as Klopp once famously described his playing style, could pave the way for a team that is currently out of tune.
Edited by: Chuck Penfold