Jürgen Klopp has been appointed as Germany’s new head coach on a contract running through the 2030 FIFA World Cup, the German Football Association (DFB) announced on Friday.
The 59-year-old succeeds Julian Nagelsmann, who stepped down after Germany failed to reach the knockout stage at the 2026 World Cup, extending the four-time champions’ run of three successive early exits from the tournament.
Reacting to his appointment, Klopp said leading the national team was a unique opportunity.
“Few things can bring us Germans together like the national team. That is exactly what makes this role so special for me,” he said.
“I’m grateful for everything I’ve been able to experience and learn during the past year and a half at Red Bull, and for everyone’s willingness to find a solution that made this possible.”
“We will approach it together with humility and patience as we look to build a team that fights for one another, enjoys its football and that people across our country can get fully behind.”
DFB president Bernd Neuendorf said Klopp had been the federation’s preferred choice after Nagelsmann’s departure.
“Few people embody passion, authenticity and the ability to inspire others quite like Jürgen Klopp,” Neuendorf said.
“After Julian Nagelsmann stepped down, he was our clear first choice to become Germany head coach, which is why we did everything we could to bring him in.”
Neuendorf also thanked Red Bull chief executive Oliver Mintzlaff and former Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke for helping finalize the appointment.
Germany’s latest World Cup campaign marked another setback for a team that has not won a knockout match at the tournament since lifting the trophy in Brazil in 2014.
Klopp returns to coaching less than two years after leaving Liverpool, where he spent nine years and won the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.
He had served as Red Bull’s head of global soccer for the past 18 months and worked as a television pundit for German broadcasters during the World Cup.
Speaking at his introductory news conference, Klopp the appointment as the pinnacle of his coaching career.
“This role is the highlight of my career and I’ll give all I’ve got to be successful,” he said.
“I’m far from perfect. We’ve got a few weeks until the first international break. I think that’s enough time to get prepared.”
“I want to look towards the most successful Germany coaches who also developed in the most successful way. ”
The agreement between the DFB and Red Bull does not include a traditional release fee. Instead, the federation will donate one million euros ($1.14 million) to a Red Bull-linked charity and stage three Germany matches in Leipzig.
Klopp’s first matches in charge will come in late September and early October in the UEFA Nations League against the Netherlands, Greece and Serbia. His first major tournament will be UEFA Euro 2028.
Former Germany defender Per Mertesacker has also been appointed the DFB’s managing director for sport and will take up the role in January after eight years leading Arsenal’s academy. Klopp’s coaching staff will include former Liverpool assistants Peter Krawietz and Pep Lijnders, as well as former Germany international Sven Bender. His long-time agent, Marc Kosicke, will also join the setup in a strategy and administration role without becoming a DFB employee.
