Jurgen Klopp named Germany head coach on deal to 2030 World Cup

Jurgen Klopp has been appointed Germany head coach on a contract running to the end of the 2030 World Cup, the German Football Association (DFB) has confirmed.

The 59-year-old succeeds Julian Nagelsmann, who left the role by mutual consent after Germany’s exit in the last 32 of the 2026 World Cup, where they were beaten on penalties by Paraguay. Klopp will officially take charge on 15 August.

His appointment was ratified by the DFB’s general assembly board, which gave final approval before Friday’s announcement.

Klopp, who has turned down several offers since leaving Liverpool in 2024, is taking charge of a national team for the first time in his managerial career.

Nagelsmann departs after 2026 World Cup failure

Nagelsmann’s departure followed Germany’s elimination in the first knockout round at the 2026 tournament, losing 5-4 on penalties to Paraguay after a draw in normal and extra time. The exit was judged to have fallen well short of the targets set by the DFB before the World Cup.

The 36-year-old had been appointed in September 2023 as successor to Hansi Flick and signed a deal through to 2028, but that contract was terminated early by mutual agreement with the federation.

Klopp reunites with key lieutenants

Klopp’s backroom staff with the national team will include long-time assistants Peter Krawietz and Pepijn Lijnders, along with Sven Bender.

Krawietz and Lijnders worked closely with Klopp for many years at Liverpool, helping deliver the 2019 Champions League title and the 2020 Premier League, the club’s first English league crown in 30 years.

Dutch coach Lijnders, 43, has most recently been assistant to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. Krawietz, 54, joins the DFB from the Red Bull football group, having previously served on Klopp’s staff at Mainz and Borussia Dortmund.

Bender, 37, returns to the DFB after spells on the coaching staff at Borussia Dortmund and Unterhaching. He has earlier experience with Germany’s youth set-up as assistant coach to the under-16 and under-17 national teams between 2022 and 2024 and won seven senior caps as a player for Germany.

‘A special task for German football’

Speaking after signing his contract, Klopp said the opportunity to lead the national side carried a unique significance.

“The national team can unite Germans like nothing else, and this is what makes this job so special for me,” he said.

“I am grateful for everything I have experienced and learned over the past year and a half with Red Bull, and I thank them for the spirit of cooperation and openness that made this agreement possible.

“I am now looking forward to this special task in German football. We will work together with humility and patience to build a team that fights for each other, enjoys its football and fully deserves the backing of German fans.”

DFB: Klopp was ‘first choice from the start’

DFB president Bernd Neuendorf said Klopp had been the obvious candidate once Nagelsmann’s departure was confirmed.

“Jurgen Klopp embodies passion, credibility and the ability to inspire others, and that is why he was our first choice without any hesitation after the resignation of Julian Nagelsmann,” said Neuendorf.

“I would like to thank everyone who helped conclude this agreement, especially Oliver Mintzlaff for the constructive negotiations and his cooperative attitude, and also Aki Watzke for his great support.”

Hans-Joachim Watzke, the DFB’s first vice-president, added: “Jurgen for me is one of the best coaches in the world. He develops his players and is excellent at leading people and uniting them, and this is exactly what the German national team needs.”

Rudi Voller, the DFB’s sporting director, said Klopp’s track record made him an ideal fit for the role.

“Jurgen Klopp has proven over many years that he can develop young players and deliver results under pressure,” Voller said. “He also has a leadership personality capable of motivating players and fans, and I am excited to work with him.”

One of Germany’s most successful modern coaches

Klopp is regarded as one of the leading German coaches of his generation after major successes with both Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool.

He led Dortmund to back-to-back Bundesliga titles in 2011 and 2012 and won the DFB-Pokal in 2012, before transforming Liverpool into European and domestic champions.

At Anfield he delivered the 2019 Champions League and the 2020 Premier League title, ending the club’s 30-year wait to be champions of England.

Busy start with four matches in six days

Klopp’s first international camp with Germany will come at the end of September and start of October, when they are scheduled to play four matches in 11 days.

Germany face the Netherlands in Amsterdam on 24 September, then host Greece in Augsburg on 27 September. They will then meet Serbia in Munich on 1 October before concluding the camp with a second game against Greece, this time in Thessaloniki, on 4 October.

The DFB hopes Klopp can oversee a full rebuild of the national team and restore Germany’s status as a major force in international football ahead of future tournaments, with the 2030 World Cup the long-term target.