Jürgen Klopp has been appointed head coach of the Germany national team, the German Football Association confirmed on Friday. The 59-year-old has signed a contract through the 2030 World Cup and will assume his duties on 15 August, following the association's General Assembly ratification of his candidacy.
Klopp replaces Julian Nagelsmann, whose tenure ended after Germany's shock exit at the 2026 World Cup. The team fell to Paraguay on penalties (5-4) in the round of 32, a result that fell dramatically short of the association's pre-tournament expectations. Nagelsmann had held the position since September 2023 before his contract was terminated by mutual consent.
Building the Support Structure
The former Liverpool manager has assembled a familiar coaching team featuring trusted collaborators from his years at Anfield. Peter Krawietz and Pepijn Lijnders, who worked alongside Klopp during Liverpool's 2019 Champions League triumph and 2020 Premier League title, form the core of his backroom staff. Krawietz joins from the Red Bull group and previously collaborated with Klopp at Mainz and Borussia Dortmund, while Lijnders recently served as Pep Guardiola's assistant at Manchester City.
Sven Bender, who earned seven senior caps as a player and coached at Germany's youth level between 2022 and 2024, completes the assistant coaching structure. This combination blends Klopp's proven winning formula with fresh insight into the German system.
Klopp's Motivations and Vision
In his statement, Klopp emphasised the unique responsibility of leading the national team. "The national team is capable of uniting Germans as nothing else does, and that is what makes this task so special for me," he said. He acknowledged his recent experience with Red Bull before pivoting to international football, highlighting his commitment to building a squad that "fights for one another, enjoys football, and deserves the German fans to rally around it with full conviction."
German Football Association president Bernd Neuendorf confirmed Klopp had been the leading candidate throughout the selection process. "Jürgen Klopp embodies passion, credibility and the ability to inspire others," Neuendorf stated. This appointment marks Klopp's first managerial role in international football after stepping away from Liverpool in 2024, having declined multiple coaching offers before accepting this challenge. Germany will now aim to restore their World Cup credentials under his leadership heading into the qualification campaign.
