​Bernd Neuendorf, the president of the German Football Association (DFB), and his deputy Hans-Joachim Watzke flew to New York on Friday to commence initial talks with Jürgen Klopp regarding the national team coaching role. Klopp, who formerly managed Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool, is widely regarded as the leading candidate to succeed Julian Nagelsmann, who stepped down about a week ago following Germany’s disappointing round of 32 exit at the World Cup to Paraguay.
Talks were anticipated to begin later on Friday after Neuendorf and Watzke arrived in New York. At the World Cup in the United States, Klopp is serving as a pundit for MagentaTV, offering his insights from the tournament. Klopp has publicly indicated several times that he is open to the possibility of taking the helm of the German national team, though any move would require careful negotiations. A key hurdle remains: Klopp would need to be released from his current contract with Red Bull, where he serves as Head of Global Soccer through 2029.
The DFB leadership is expected to hold discussions with Red Bull’s managing director, Oliver Mintzlaff, during their time in New York. All parties are reportedly eager to reach a workable arrangement that satisfies the conditions of a potential transition. Germany’s next fixtures on the horizon are four Nations League appearances scheduled for late September and early October, featuring clashes with the Netherlands, Serbia, and two meetings with Greece. These matches will be crucial for Germany as they aim to establish momentum under a new coaching framework should Klopp take on the national team role. The negotiations are being conducted with a view toward ensuring a smooth transition that aligns with both the DFB’s strategic goals and Klopp’s professional commitments.