Jurgen Klopp has reached an agreement in principle to succeed Julian Nagelsmann as the manager of the German national team, according to reports.
The former Liverpool boss, 59, is reportedly set to sign a four-year deal that would cover the 2028 European Championship and the 2030 World Cup. The agreement was made with the German Football Association (DFB).
Klopp took a break from football following his departure from Liverpool at the end of the 2023-24 season. He later joined Red Bull as their Global Head of Soccer in January 2025, focusing on strategy and advisory roles.
Germany's national team is seeking a new manager after a disappointing World Cup campaign in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Julian Nagelsmann resigned from his position after Germany's penalty shootout exit in the round of 32 against Paraguay.
A DFB spokesperson confirmed that DFB President Bernd Neuendorf and Vice President Hans-Joachim Watzke held in-depth talks with Klopp regarding the potential appointment. "During the constructive exchange, an agreement was reached on the key points of a potential contract," the spokesperson stated. "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."
The potential contract must still be finalized in a joint meeting of the supervisory board and shareholders' meeting of DFB GmbH & Co. KG.
Klopp and the DFB will now discuss the terms of his departure from Red Bull, where he signed a five-year contract in 2025. Reports indicate that Klopp's Red Bull contract included a specific clause allowing him to leave early if the Germany head coach position became available.
Pep Lijnders, Klopp's former assistant coach at Liverpool, who later worked with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City before his departure this summer, has reportedly agreed to join Klopp's staff with the German national team.
Germany, a four-time World Cup winner, has experienced a notable lack of success in major tournaments over the past decade, failing to advance beyond the quarter-finals in their last four competitions. Their performances included exits in the round of 16 at the 2020 European Championship and the quarter-finals in 2024. The 2022 World Cup saw a group stage exit, preceding their round of 32 defeat in the recent tournament.
Klopp had previously confirmed discussions with the DFB regarding the vacancy. "Yes, I can confirm the talks," he told German broadcaster Magenta. "Things moved pretty quickly. Julian stepped down. The DFB are looking for a successor. And they're talking to me."
He also indicated the need to speak with his current employer, Oliver Mintzlaff, CEO of corporate projects and investments at Red Bull. "I need to talk to Oliver Mintzlaff. He's my employer. We've already texted things. I assume he's not in the way. I was there for 19 months. It was an intense time. Ideally, there are only winners in the end. Red Bull must come out of the number clean."
