The German Football Federation (DFB) confirmed on Saturday that it has made progress toward hiring Jurgen Klopp as the manager of the national team. While the parties have found common ground, the move depends on obtaining permission from Klopp’s current employer, the Red Bull Group.
DFB leadership, specifically president Bernd Neuendorf and vice-president Hans-Joachim Watzke, met with Klopp in New York on Friday to discuss the position. According to a DFB statement, the meeting was productive, and both sides agreed on the primary terms of a potential contract. Further negotiations are scheduled for next week, with the DFB optimistic that a final deal can be reached once Red Bull releases him from his current obligations.
Klopp is the federation’s top choice to replace Julian Nagelsmann, who stepped down after Germany was eliminated from the World Cup by Paraguay in the round-of-32. Renowned for his successful tenures at Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund, the 59-year-old had transitioned to an executive role as head of global football for Red Bull following his departure from Anfield in 2024. In that capacity, he has managed a diverse network of clubs across several continents.
Klopp recently remarked that he feels fully refreshed after his brief hiatus from coaching. His potential appointment arrives as the German national team seeks to recover from a period of struggle that includes multiple early exits from major international tournaments over the last decade.
