Jurgen Klopp has reached an agreement in principle to become the new Germany head coach after holding talks with senior officials of the German Football Association (DFB) in New York.
The former Liverpool manager is expected to replace Julian Nagelsmann, who stepped down following Germany’s early exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
However, the appointment remains subject to further negotiations and an agreement with Red Bull, where Klopp has served as Head of Global Football since January 2025.
DFB confirms progress in talks
The DFB said discussions between both parties had been positive and that negotiations would continue next week.
“DFB President Bernd Neuendorf and DFB Vice President Hans-Joachim Watzke held their first in-depth talks with Jürgen Klopp in New York regarding his potential appointment as national team coach,” the DFB said in a statement.
“During the constructive exchange, an agreement was reached on the key points of a potential contract. Talks will continue next week.
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“Both sides are confident that the negotiations, subject to an agreement with Klopp’s current employer, Red Bull, can ultimately be successfully concluded.”
Klopp is expected to sign a four-year contract as Germany head coach if the remaining details are finalised.
The role would mark his first coaching position since leaving Liverpool at the end of the 2023-24 season and his first job in international football.
Return to the dugout
The 58-year-old has been working as a television pundit in Germany during the World Cup.
In recent months, Klopp had been linked with a return to club management, including reports connecting him with Real Madrid, claims he dismissed as “all nonsense”.
Klopp enjoyed a successful nine-year spell at Liverpool, winning seven major trophies, including the Premier League title in 2020 and the UEFA Champions League in 2019.
Before moving to England, he guided Borussia Dortmund to two Bundesliga titles between 2008 and 2015. He also managed Mainz 05, the club where he spent nearly his entire playing career.
Familiar faces behind negotiations
Klopp’s discussions with the DFB have involved Vice President Hans-Joachim Watzke, who worked closely with him during his time as Borussia Dortmund’s chief executive.
Their long-standing relationship is believed to have helped accelerate negotiations as Germany seek to rebuild following another disappointing World Cup campaign.
Germany were eliminated in the round of 32 after losing to Paraguay on penalties, extending a difficult run at major tournaments.
Since lifting their fourth World Cup title under Joachim Low in 2014, Germany have failed to progress beyond the group stage at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
Nagelsmann replaced Hansi Flick in September 2023 on an initial contract through UEFA Euro 2024, where Germany reached the quarter-finals before losing to eventual champions Spain after extra time.
His deal was later extended to cover the 2026 World Cup and UEFA Euro 2028, but he resigned following Germany’s second successive major tournament under his leadership.
