​It’s almost a foregone conclusion, written in the stars, that Jürgen Klopp will become the next manager of the German national team after Julian Nagelsmann’s resignation. Yet nothing is final just yet. The sour note of Die Mannschaft’s underwhelming performance—failing to meet expectations at a third consecutive World Cup—has been softened somewhat by the prospect that Klopp is set to take over, with the DFB prepared to grant him substantial authority as a new era for German football begins. His release clause in the Red Bull contract, tied to an exit for the national-team post, signals the path forward, but several details still require careful negotiation and fine-tuning.
Borussia Dortmund’s chief executive, Hans-Joachim Watzke, recently emphasized that the deal isn’t sealed enough for Klopp to sign to replace Nagelsmann just yet. “This is not a done deal,” he said to ZDF (as transcribed by @iMiaSanMia). “There are still hurdles to overcome, especially given that he has a contract at RB. I’m a bit more skeptical than others. I’m convinced the chances are higher than 50%, but that doesn’t mean it’s 100%. Jürgen is our plan A, and we want to implement our plan A. There are problems to be solved.”
From the outside, the handwriting seems clear: Klopp has effectively narrowed his options to two jobs that would compel him to leave his role at Red Bull and return to management—Germany or Real Madrid. He has also stated that he would not want to return to England to manage another club, aside from Liverpool, and he has repeatedly dismissed rumors linking him to the Bayern Munich post because of his Dortmund ties. Yet that same caution did not apply when he accepted a role indirectly overseeing RB Leipzig, one of Germany’s most controversial clubs.
“Jürgen’s willingness to resolve these issues is a meaningful asset,” Watzke continued. “Of course, we have our financial limits. I expect, or rather I hope, for a small ‘patriotism discount’ from Jürgen in particular. I know he loves Germany.” The sentiment about Klopp is not universal in Germany: not everyone loves him, and the national team’s future remains uncertain, even with his potential involvement. The job entails more than just a change in coach; it requires a substantial commitment of time, personnel, and money to align Klopp’s preferred backroom staff with the federation’s ambitions. Klopp has indicated that he intends to bring Peter Krawietz and Zsolt Löw with him to Germany, a plan that would involve extensive contractual and financial arrangements to execute.
Nevertheless, the nation waits for the moment when the “heavy metal” brand of football Klopp represents will be officially unveiled as Germany’s guiding philosophy. The expectation is that he will take the hot seat and steer the team back to the pinnacle of world football, echoing the success Germany enjoyed in Brazil eight years ago. As discussions continue, fans and stakeholders alike yearn for clarity and a definitive commitment from Klopp that will signal a new era for German football.