2026-07-03 13:30:53
Jürgen Klopp is set to hold talks over becoming Germany’s next head coach after the German Football Association confirmed it had accepted Julian Nagelsmann’s resignation following the national team’s shock early exit from the World Cup.
The move would see one of Germany’s most celebrated modern managers take charge of the four-time world champions after years of disappointment on the international stage.
It also comes as Klopp continues to make headlines following his recent role with Red Bull’s global football operation, a decision that divided supporters after his hugely successful spell at Liverpool, where he won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and ended the club’s 30-year wait for a league title.
The Deutscher Fußball-Bund (DFB) announced on Friday (03.07.26) it had granted Nagelsmann’s request to step down after Germany were knocked out of the World Cup on penalties by Paraguay in the last 32 earlier this week.
Nagelsmann, who took charge in 2023 after succeeding Hansi Flick, had initially insisted he wanted to remain in the role following the defeat.
However, after discussions with federation officials, he decided to resign.
The DFB confirmed it would now seek talks with Klopp, adding he had “already signalled his general willingness to take on the position”.
Klopp has not managed since leaving Liverpool at the end of the 2023-’24 season, bringing to a close a transformative nine-year spell at Anfield that cemented his reputation as one of world football’s leading coaches.
Nagelsmann said: “I’ve done a lot of thinking in the days since our elimination and have consulted with trusted individuals both personally and within the federation.
“The decision was anything but easy for me. My top priority has always been the team’s success. After such a bitter disappointment, they deserve the chance for a fresh start.”
Germany’s elimination continued a difficult run for the national side at major tournaments.
After lifting the World Cup in 2014, Germany failed to progress beyond the group stage in both 2018 and 2022 under Joachim Löw and Hansi Flick respectively.
Nagelsmann’s best tournament result came at Euro 2024, when Germany reached the quarter-finals on home soil before losing after extra time to eventual champions Spain.
The World Cup campaign ended with defeat to Paraguay in a penalty shootout after Germany failed to progress beyond the first knockout round.
DFB sporting director Rudi Völler said: “After the disappointing World Cup exit for everyone, Julian’s decision deserves our respect, because he’s taking responsibility where he’d like to continue shaping things, and putting the national team as a whole above himself.
“Of course, we all would have liked a different outcome to the tournament and a more convincing performance from our team. But Julian is and remains an excellent coach, and I’m convinced he’ll continue on his successful path.”
Germany captain Joshua Kimmich also said the players must accept responsibility for the team’s exit.
During the tournament, Nagelsmann opted to deploy Kimmich at right-back rather than in his preferred central midfield position.
He also restored Leroy Sané to the starting line-up after the Galatasaray winger had previously been left out, while recalling veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, despite Oliver Baumann featuring throughout Germany’s successful qualifying campaign.
DFB president Bernd Neuendorf said discussions had taken place with Nagelsmann, Völler and managing director Andreas Rettig following Germany’s elimination.
Bernd said: “Germany’s performance at the World Cup did not meet our standards.
“Over the coming days, we will take the time to discuss the reasons together and in a calm manner: why the team were unable to show the quality they have, and why they failed to live up to their own expectations and those of football fans across Germany.
“After a setback of this magnitude, and with the challenges ahead in mind, we cannot and will not simply move on as if nothing has happened.”
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