Klopp says he's ready to become Germany's next head coach
Jürgen Klopp has told broadcasters he is ready to become Germany's next head coach after Julian Nagelsmann resigned following the team's World Cup exit against Paraguay. The DFB confirms talks are underway, but Klopp must first secure release from Red Bull and says any deal still needs time. The shake-up opens the most watched coaching vacancy in world football.
Key Takeaways
- Klopp told MagentaTV: "Ich bin bereit" and confirmed DFB talks have started, per BILD.
- Nagelsmann quit after Germany's round-of-16 loss; Kicker reports a roughly €6.8m severance package.
- Stefan Effenberg argues Oliver Glasner is a credible alternative if Klopp does not take the job.
- Red Bull boss Oliver Mintzlaff must approve any release before Klopp can sign with the DFB.
Why did Julian Nagelsmann leave as Germany head coach?
Julian Nagelsmann stepped down as Bundestrainer just days after Germany crashed out of the 2026 World Cup in the round of 16, losing to Paraguay on penalties. According to t-online, his coaching staff — Benjamin Glück, Benjamin Hübner and Alfred Schreuder — left with him.
The DFB confirmed the resignation in an official statement, t-online reported. Nagelsmann's contract had run until Euro 2028, and Kicker says his assistants' deals would also have lasted until the tournament.
What did Jürgen Klopp say about taking the job?
Speaking to MagentaTV during the World Cup, Klopp said: "Ich bin mittlerweile mehr als aufgetankt. Also ich bin bereit." BILD reports he also told Servus TV that conversations with the DFB have genuinely begun.
Klopp stressed he enjoys his role as Red Bull's Head of Global Soccer and would not walk away lightly. He named Red Bull chief Oliver Mintzlaff as his first point of contact, noting the company must approve any move. When asked what still stands between him and a signature, Klopp answered with one word: "Zeit" — time.
He added that Germany's problems run deeper than any single coach. "We must fundamentally change things now," he said, whether he takes the job or someone else does.
Who else is in the frame besides Klopp?
Klopp is widely seen as the DFB's preferred candidate. In a t-online column, former midfielder Stefan Effenberg floated Oliver Glasner as a strong alternative. Effenberg cited Glasner's 400-plus Bundesliga appearances as a player and his success guiding Wolfsburg into the Champions League, Eintracht Frankfurt to the Europa League and Crystal Palace to the Conference League.
Effenberg said Glasner "could do it — and would be ready for this task." t-online also notes media reports linking Glasner to Nottingham Forest. Former World Cup winner Mats Hummels, meanwhile, named Pep Guardiola as another possible candidate during MagentaTV coverage.
Leadership transitions at this scale often draw wider debate — a theme we also explore in our Future Tech & AI Wonders coverage of high-stakes decision-making.
What does Nagelsmann's exit cost the DFB?
According to Kicker and Sky, Nagelsmann and his two assistant coaches received a combined severance of roughly €6.8 million. That figure is slightly below earlier estimates of about €7 million but still a major payout for a federation already under pressure.
Kicker notes the bill would likely have been lower had Germany exited in the group stage. Nagelsmann reportedly earned around €7 million per year. If Klopp is hired, BILD reports he must first secure release from Red Bull before any DFB contract can be signed. Full details are in the Kicker report.