The German Football Association (DFB) on Friday appointed Jurgen Klopp as the national team’s new head coach, ending speculation over who would be Julian Nagelsmann’s successor.
DFB president Bernd Neuendorf said that the association’s governing body had unanimously approved Klopp’s appointment, describing him as the “ideal choice” for the role.
“It’s a great honor to sit here today,” Klopp said at a press conference announcing his appointment. He said he was “happy”.
What else do we know about Klopp’s appointment as Germany head coach?
Klopp emerged as the federation’s preferred candidate after Nagelsmann stepped down following Germany’s penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay in the World Cup Round of 32.
In a statement released by the DFB, Klopp was quoted as saying: “The national team can unite us Germans like no one else. That’s really what makes this role so special for me.”
He said he was “looking forward to this special challenge in German football, which we will tackle together with humility and patience.” He wanted to create a team “that fights for each other, that enjoys playing football, and that the people of our country can rally behind with complete commitment.”
The former Liverpool manager held talks with DFB officials in New York while working as a television analyst during the tournament, and the federation announced on 11 July that the two parties had reached agreement on the essential terms of the contract.
His contract begins on August 15 and continues until the summer of 2030, coinciding with the next World Cup tournament.
His first match as Germany head coach will be on 24 September in Germany’s opening Nations League match against the Netherlands in Amsterdam.
This is Klopp’s first coaching job since leaving Liverpool in 2024 citing fatigue.
The DFB also announced on Friday that Per Mertesacker will be its managing director after his predecessor Andreas Rettig steps down at the end of the year.
Klopp’s star-studded coaching career
After spending most of his career as a player for Mainz, Klopp took the club to the Bundesliga for the first time as coach.
Then, as coach of Borussia Dortmund, he led the team to consecutive Bundesliga titles, and led the club to the Champions League final in 2013.
His recent coaching career saw him shine with England’s Liverpool, whom he coached for nine years, leading them to their first league title in more than a quarter of a century and glory in the 2019 Champions League final.
As a result of his outstanding contribution to democracy and his influence on the football world, Klopp was awarded the highest civilian award in Germany. He was credited with becoming a role model, a football ambassador and someone who has improved Germany’s image around the world, especially in the United Kingdom.
Edited by: Saim Inayatullah
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