Jurgen Klopp has officially been named the new head coach of the Germany national team, marking his return to management following his departure from Liverpool in 2024. The 59-year-old takes the reins after Germany's unexpectedly early exit from the World Cup, which saw them knocked out at the last-32 stage following a penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay.
Klopp, who previously stated he was 'recharged' after stepping down from his role at Anfield due to fatigue, confirmed his new position at an unveiling in Frankfurt. The German football association (DFB) had pursued talks with Klopp after former coach Julian Nagelsmann was asked to resign in the wake of the World Cup disappointment. An agreement on key points of a deal was reached on Saturday, 11 July, with a four-year contract now signed, committing Klopp to the national team until the 2030 World Cup.
Addressing his new role, Klopp expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "The national team brings us Germans together like almost nothing else can. That's what makes this task so special for me." His ambition to manage the national team had been widely discussed during the recent World Cup, where he worked as a pundit. His contract with Red Bull, where he served as Head of Global Soccer since January 2025, reportedly included a specific exit clause to facilitate his move to the Germany job.
Klopp's tenure at Liverpool spanned nine years, from October 2015 to the end of the 2024 season, during which he led the Reds to both Premier League and Champions League glory. His move to the national team sees him leave his most recent role overseeing Red Bull's global network of clubs, which includes RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg.
Meanwhile, in related international football news, former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has reportedly declined the opportunity to coach Italy. The 55-year-old had been in discussions with the Italian Football Federation but informed them on Thursday night that he would not be taking the role due to "personal reasons that go beyond football," according to Sky Italy. Italy has been seeking a new head coach since Gennaro Gattuso resigned in April, after the four-time world champions failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup.