Jurgen Klopp confirms talks to succeed Julian Nagelsmann as Germany coach

Jurgen Klopp has confirmed he is in discussions with the German Football Association (DFB) to become the head coach of the men’s national team. The move follows the resignation of Julian Nagelsmann on Friday, July 3, 2026, after Germany suffered a shock round-of-32 World Cup exit to Paraguay.

The DFB confirmed the intention to seek talks with Klopp, stating that the former Liverpool manager had already signalled his general willingness to take on the position. Speaking on the broadcaster Magenta TV, Klopp confirmed the discussions were underway, though he cautioned that the process would take time.

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Julian Nagelsmann resigns as Germany head coach after shock World Cup exit with Jurgen Klopp

"Yes, I can confirm the talks. Things moved pretty quickly. Julian stepped down. The DFB are looking for a successor. And they’re talking to me."

Jurgen Klopp, via Magenta TV

The Exit of Julian Nagelsmann

Nagelsmann's departure came four days after a 1-1 draw against Paraguay in Boston, which Germany lost on penalties. The result extended a bleak trend for the four-time world champions, who have now failed to reach the last-16 stage in three consecutive World Cups, following group-stage exits in 2018 and 2022.

Despite previously insisting he would not walk away immediately after the match, Nagelsmann eventually resigned, stating that the squad deserved a chance of a new beginning after such a bitter disappointment.

The financial terms of Nagelsmann's exit were significant. While Bild reported a severance package of seven million euros (approximately $8 million), other reports cited the figure as £6 million. The payout allows the DFB to terminate a contract that was set to run until 2028.

Contractual Hurdles and Red Bull

Klopp's return to the dugout is not yet a formality. Since leaving Liverpool in 2024, he has served as the Head of Global Soccer for the Red Bull group, a role he began in January 2025. He noted that he must negotiate his departure with his employer, Oliver Mintzlaff.

While Klopp has expressed caution regarding the timeline, Sky Sports and Goal report that Klopp possesses a specific release clause or verbal agreement tailored for the Germany national team job, which could expedite his return to coaching.

A History of Struggle

The DFB's urgency in appointing a successor is partly driven by a desire to avoid the delays seen in 2018 and 2022, when the association was criticized for keeping unsuccessful managers too long. Joachim Loew stayed three years after the 2018 failure, and Hansi Flick remained a year after the 2022 exit.

The national team's decline has been stark. Beyond the World Cup failures, Germany was eliminated by England in the last 16 of the 2021 Euros and lost to Spain in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024.

Timeline of the Coaching Transition

• June 2026: Germany exits the World Cup in the round of 32 after a penalty shootout loss to Paraguay.
• July 3, 2026: Julian Nagelsmann officially resigns; DFB announces it will seek talks with Jurgen Klopp.
• July 3, 2026: Klopp confirms via Magenta TV that talks are underway and he is interested in the role.
• September 24, 2026: Germany is scheduled to resume competitive action in a Nations League fixture away against the Netherlands.

Klopp acknowledged that the problems facing the national side cannot be pinned solely on Nagelsmann, calling the departing coach exceptional. However, he admitted that if he takes the role, the team must change things fundamentally.