​The German Football Association (DFB) announced on Saturday that it was nearing an agreement with Jurgen Klopp to take over as Germany’s head coach. However, before the 59-year-old can return to the sidelines, the DFB indicated that it still needed to obtain clearance from his current employer, the Red Bull Group. In a press release, the DFB explained that “DFB president Bernd Neuendorf and vice-president Hans-Joachim Watzke held an initial in-depth discussion with Jurgen Klopp in New York on Friday regarding his potential appointment as national team coach. During this constructive discussion, an understanding was reached on the key points of a potential contract.” The statement added that discussions would continue next week, with both parties confident that negotiations—pending an agreement with Klopp’s current employer, Red Bull—could ultimately be brought to a successful conclusion.
Klopp has been the DFB’s preferred candidate to succeed Julian Nagelsmann, who stepped down after Germany’s World Cup exit in the round of 32, following a penalties defeat to Paraguay. The German coach is widely regarded as one of the game’s finest after starring spells at Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool. Since stepping away from frontline management when he left Liverpool in 2024, Klopp has served as the head of global football for Red Bull, overseeing a multi-club network that includes teams in Austria, Germany, Brazil, the United States, and Japan. Last weekend, Klopp described himself as “more than recharged” after his break from competitive coaching.
Germany’s troubles on the world stage have been pronounced since their World Cup triumph 12 years ago in Brazil. Since then, the national team has endured two consecutive group-stage exits, culminating in a more recent disappointment this summer in North America. As the DFB continues its discussions with Klopp, stakeholders will be watching closely to see if an agreement can be finalized that would lead to his return to international management with Germany, guiding a squad eager to reclaim its place among football’s elite. This ongoing negotiation underscores the high expectations placed on Klopp to revive a Germany side that remains among the sport’s most storied national teams while facing renewed scrutiny after recent tournament disappointments.