Daijiworld Media Network - Frankfurt
Frankfurt, Jul 24: Jurgen Klopp has been appointed as the new head coach of Germany's men's national football team, with the German Football Federation (DFB) confirming on Friday that the former Liverpool manager has signed a four-year contract.
Klopp will officially take charge on August 15, replacing Julian Nagelsmann, who stepped down after Germany's FIFA World Cup exit against Paraguay. The 59-year-old is expected to guide the national side through UEFA Euro 2028 and the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
The DFB said the appointment received unanimous approval from the supervisory board and shareholders of DFB GmbH & Co. KG following a proposal by DFB President Bernd Neuendorf and First Vice President Hans-Joachim Watzke.
Expressing his excitement over the new role, Klopp described leading the national team as a unique opportunity.
“The national team can unite us Germans like almost nothing else, and that is what makes this role so special. I am grateful for everything I experienced and learned at Red Bull over the past year and a half, and for the openness that made this move possible. I now look forward to building a team that plays with passion, enjoys football and earns the wholehearted support of the country,” Klopp said in a statement released by the DFB.
Klopp will be supported by a familiar coaching staff comprising Peter Krawietz, Pepijn Lijnders and former Germany international Sven Bender.
Krawietz and Lijnders have worked alongside Klopp for several years, including during Liverpool's UEFA Champions League triumph in 2019 and Premier League title-winning campaign in 2020. Lijnders most recently served as an assistant to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, while Krawietz joins the German setup after working within the Red Bull football group.
Sven Bender returns to the DFB after coaching spells with Borussia Dortmund and Unterhaching. The former Germany midfielder also worked with the DFB's Under-16 and Under-17 national teams between 2022 and 2024.
DFB President Bernd Neuendorf said Klopp was the federation's clear first choice following Nagelsmann's resignation.
“After Julian Nagelsmann stepped down, Jurgen Klopp was our unanimous choice to lead the national team. We worked tirelessly to make this appointment possible. I would also like to thank everyone who helped facilitate the agreement, particularly Oliver Mintzlaff for the constructive discussions and Hans-Joachim Watzke for his valuable support,” Neuendorf said.
Klopp's first assignment will come during the international window at the end of September and early October, when Germany will play four matches.
His debut will be away to the Netherlands in Amsterdam on September 24, followed by his first home match against Greece in Augsburg on September 27. Germany will then face Serbia in Munich on October 1 before taking on Greece again in Thessaloniki on October 4.