Jürgen Klopp has agreed to become the new head coach of the Germany national football team, following the sudden resignation of Julian Nagelsmann after a disappointing World Cup campaign.
The German football federation (DFB) moved swiftly to secure the former Liverpool manager, who has spent the last 18 months as Head of Global Soccer for the Red Bull group.
Nagelsmann stepped down just four days after Germany suffered a penalty shootout defeat against Paraguay in the World Cup Round of 32, marking the nation's third consecutive tournament failure before reaching the quarter-finals.
The 38-year-old coach had initially stated his intention to remain through his contract until Euro 2028 but reversed his decision after crisis talks with federation officials.
"In the days since we went out I've done a lot of thinking and spoken with trusted people in my personal life and at the (federation)," said Nagelsmann.
The federation confirmed that Nagelsmann had been among the highest-paid coaches at the tournament but faced severe domestic criticism regarding tactical setups, including the deployment of Joshua Kimmich at right-back and recalling 40-year-old goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
"This decision was anything but easy for me. My main aim has always been the team's success.
After such a bitter disappointment, they've earned the chance for a completely fresh start," said Nagelsmann.
Following Nagelsmann's departure, the DFB immediately opened discussions with Klopp, who was already at the World Cup working as a television pundit.
Klopp had previously expressed that he was not completely finished with coaching after ending his celebrated nine-year tenure at Anfield in 2024 due to exhausting his energy reserves.
By Saturday, Klopp publicly confirmed his revitalized mindset and openness to entering formal negotiations with the national federation.
"The timing isn't perfect right now. Nevertheless, it's better than it has ever been.
By now, I'm more than recharged. So, I'm ready," said Klopp.
While Klopp maintains a verbal agreement with Red Bull allowing an exit for the national team job, official contract details and a corporate compensation fee remain under negotiation between the DFB and Red Bull managing director Oliver Mintzlaff.
"I have an existing contract with Red Bull. I like to honour contracts.
But I am interested in talks. They would have to be intensive discussions.
The problems we currently have don't hinge on Julian Nagelsmann," said Klopp.
Football journalist Fabrizio Romano reported on X that the long-term project details are being finalized, though Red Bull's initial replacement target, Oliver Glasner, opted to sign with Nottingham Forest instead.
"We have to fundamentally change things now.
Whether it ends up being me or whoever else it might be, that doesn't change the fact that changes are necessary," said Klopp.
Klopp noted that the transition must allow Red Bull to exit the situation cleanly, with negotiations expected to continue over the coming days before Germany's next Nations League fixture against the Netherlands on September 24.
"German football is close to his heart. Red Bull needs to come out of this situation cleanly.
It's not that easy to get out of it," said Klopp.
Journalist Florian Plettenberg reported that while a final agreement between the DFB and Red Bull is still pending, Klopp is fully expected to take the helm of the national squad.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, via government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius, publicly thanked Nagelsmann for his service over the last three years as the country transitions to Klopp's leadership.
