Jurgen Klopp is poised to return to management after agreeing in principle to become the new head coach of Germany.
The appointment is due to be ratified next week as the German federation finalise compensation with Klopp’s current employers Red Bull, where he is head of global football.
The 59-year-old former Liverpool boss met senior German football association (DFB) officials in New York on Friday where he is working as a commentator for the World Cup.
It is expected Klopp will agree a four-year contract for what will be his first coaching role since ending his nine-year tenure at Liverpool in the summer of 2024 and his first in international football.
He will succeed Julian Nagelsmann, who resigned following Germany’s early World Cup exit.
In a statement the DFB confirmed: ‘DFB president Bernd Neuendorf and DFB vice-president Hans-Joachim Watzke held their first in-depth talks with Jurgen Klopp in New York regarding his potential appointment as national team coach.
Jurgen Klopp has reached an agreement in principle to become Germany’s new head coach
Julian Nagelsmann stepped down as Germany boss after a disappointing World Cup campaign
‘During the constructive exchange, an agreement was reached on the key points of a potential contract. 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 successfully concluded.’
Negotiations with Red Bull managing director Oliver Mintzlaff are set to start at the beginning of the week, and Klopp will then be finalised as national team coach.
His relationship with DFB vice-president Hans-Joachim Watzke is understood to be key in Germany reaching agreement with one of the world’s most sought-after managers.
The pair worked closely together while Watzke was chief executive at Borussia Dortmund and Klopp was manager, winning two German Bundesliga titles and making the Champions League final.
Klopp vowed never to manage another Premier League side following his emotional departure from Liverpool, a time which had taken its toll on his lifestyle but he has repeatedly been linked with a return to management, most notably with Real Madrid in March, which he described as ‘nonsense’.
Following his exit from Anfield at the end of the 2023-24 season, Klopp enjoyed a short break from football before joining Red Bull as their Global Head of Soccer in January 2025
Klopp led Liverpool to seven major honours, including the 2019-20 Premier League title and the Champions League in 2019.
Germany were knocked out of the World Cup at the last-32 stage, losing to Paraguay on penalties.
Klopp drew criticism in his TV role when he suggested that Deniz Undav should start ahead of Jamal Musiala and, then, after being criticised by Lothar Matthäus among others, said: ‘Julian Nagelsmann is still picking the team – for now.’
Klopp was rebuked for the ‘for now’ comment with former players such as Andreas Möller and Stefan Effenberg calling him out. Klopp apologised to Nagelsmann and said he felt like ‘punching himself in the face’, adding: ‘But it was already too late and I was on TV. It just slipped out so casually and has absolutely no meaning.
‘What I know now is that I’ll be 59 the day after tomorrow and I’m still an idiot. We’re completely on your side. Nothing will be done to disrupt the process.’
