​The situation is drawing nearer by the day. Jürgen Klopp is poised to become the new head coach of the German national team, stepping in after Julian Nagelsmann resigned following Germany’s disappointing Round of 32 exit from the World Cup at the hands of Paraguay. The news cycle has moved quickly since Klopp, the former Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund, and Mainz coach, has been wrapping up his punditry duties for MagentaTV. It seems increasingly clear that the DFB wants Klopp, and Klopp appears ready and willing to take the role.
Klopp met in New York with DFB president Bernd Neuendorf and vice president Hans-Joachim Watzke, along with his agent, to discuss the details of the proposed agreement between Klopp and the federation. It is anticipated that the contract would span through the 2030 World Cup, with Klopp’s departure from his current role as head of football for Red Bull GmbH needing to be finalized before the deal can be sealed.
Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg reported that the DFB confirmed the initial news and outlined what happened in the New York meeting and what lies ahead. “DFB President Bernd Neuendorf and DFB Vice-President Hans-Joachim Watzke held a first intensive meeting with Jürgen Klopp in New York yesterday regarding the possible appointment as Germany head coach. During the constructive talks, an understanding was reached on the key elements of a potential contract. The talks will continue next week. Both sides are confident that the negotiations—subject to an agreement with Klopp’s current employer Red Bull—can ultimately be concluded successfully.”
Sky Germany added that the aim is to finalize Red Bull’s exit clauses by early next week at the latest, so the DFB can announce the agreement in principle once everything is in place. While there are still a multitude of small details to hammer out, there is little hindrance remaining to an official announcement. At this stage, barring any extraordinary twists, Klopp is set to become Germany’s next manager.