Jürgen Klopp has confirmed he is in negotiations to take over as Germany's coach and says he has "recharged" the energy missing when he left Liverpool in 2024. Speaking from New York on German broadcaster Magenta TV, where he serves as a World Cup commentator, Klopp stated: "Julian has stepped down and the [federation] is working on the succession and has approached me in the course of those considerations."
Klopp ready for return after Liverpool exit
Klopp has not coached since leaving Liverpool in 2024, citing a lack of energy after eight years at Anfield where he won the Premier League and Champions League. "About two years ago I stopped at Liverpool and said that I lacked the energy for another job or for another year with Liverpool," he said. "Since then I'm more than recharged, I'm ready."
The German football federation (DFB) has identified Klopp as its preferred candidate after Julian Nagelsmann resigned on Friday, four days after Germany's World Cup last-32 exit to Paraguay. Germany have now failed to reach the last 16 in three consecutive men's World Cups and have not won a knockout game since the 2014 final against Argentina.
Fundamental changes needed in German football
Klopp said Nagelsmann was an "excellent coach" and not to blame for the team's deeper problems. "German football is obviously at a turning point now," Klopp said. "Now we need to change things fundamentally. Whether that's me in the end or whoever it may be, that doesn't change the fact that changes are necessary."
Klopp emphasised that talks with the DFB would require time due to his contract as head of global soccer for Red Bull's network of clubs. He stated that "intensive discussions" were needed to agree on key points for transforming the team's fortunes. The DFB's statement on the team's future named only Klopp as a potential successor, noting he had "signalled his willingness" to take over.
Klopp's punditry role at World Cup
Klopp has maintained a high-profile presence as a pundit on German TV during the World Cup, even conducting post-game interviews with Nagelsmann on the pitch. In the immediate aftermath of the Paraguay loss, he said he had not considered taking the Germany job. However, his stance has now shifted as he engages in formal negotiations with the federation.
