Key Takeaways
- Juergen Klopp has been appointed head coach of the German national football team.
- Klopp replaces Julian Nagelsmann following Germany's World Cup exit in the round of 32.
- The appointment is part of a broader effort to rebuild the national team after three consecutive poor performances.
Germany has appointed former Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund manager Juergen Klopp as head coach, signing him to a four-year contract. The decision comes in response to Germany's disappointing World Cup performance, where they were eliminated by Paraguay in the round of 32 via penalty shootout.
Klopp, who had been working as Red Bull’s global head of soccer, expressed his excitement about the new role: 'The national team can connect us Germans like hardly anything else. That's exactly what makes this task so special for me.'
Klopp will be supported by Peter Krawietz, Pep Lijnders, and former Germany international Sven Bender. The DFB also appointed Per Mertesacker as managing director for sport, succeeding Andreas Rettig, with a contract through to the 2030 World Cup.
DFB president Bernd Neuendorf emphasized Klopp's suitability: 'We at the DFB were unanimous in saying he was the candidate we had to talk to. Our talks with Juergen only strengthened our belief that he’s the right man at the right time.'
Red Bull executive Oliver Mintzlaff supported the decision, stating, 'This wasn’t an easy decision but together with my fellow managing directors, Franz Watzlawick and Alexander Kirchmayr, we decided to support his ambition.'
Klopp's appointment is seen as a significant step in rebuilding Germany’s national team. The country has not won the World Cup since 2014 and has struggled in recent years, with early exits from the tournament.
The DFB plans to host three international matches at Leipzig over the coming years, part of their strategy to integrate Klopp into German football. Additionally, the federation will donate €1 million ($1.14 million) to Red Bull’s Wings for Life foundation instead of paying compensation for releasing Klopp.
Klopp's appointment is also seen as a continuation of his involvement with German football, given that he had been working as a television pundit during the World Cup and was widely favored by fans. However, he faced criticism during the tournament, particularly after suggesting Nagelsmann’s time as national coach could be nearing an end.
With Klopp at the helm, Germany hopes to return to its former glory in international football.
'The national team can connect us Germans like hardly anything else. That's exactly what makes this task so special for me.'
Juergen Klopp, New head coach of the German national team
'This wasn’t an easy decision but together with my fellow managing directors, Franz Watzlawick and Alexander Kirchmayr, we decided to support his ambition.'
Oliver Mintzlaff, Red Bull executive
