Klopp poised to become Germany coach as DFB schedules Friday announcement

Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is set to be unveiled as the new head coach of Germany’s national football team, with the German Football Association (DFB) expected to confirm his appointment at a press conference on Friday.

The DFB on Thursday invited journalists to its headquarters in Frankfurt for an 11:00 a.m. local time briefing but did not disclose the purpose of the event. However, widespread reports in Germany indicate the federation is preparing to officially present Klopp as successor to Julian Nagelsmann after securing the necessary approvals from its governing bodies.

The 59-year-old is expected to sign a contract that will keep him in charge of the four-time world champions until the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

Klopp has been widely regarded as the leading candidate to rebuild Germany following another disappointing World Cup campaign. The former European champions exited the 2026 tournament in the Round of 32 after losing on penalties to Paraguay, prompting the DFB to part ways with Nagelsmann.

The latest setback extended Germany’s poor run at major tournaments. Since lifting the World Cup in Brazil in 2014, the Germans have endured group-stage exits at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups and have managed just one knockout victory across their last five major competitions.

Klopp’s expected appointment also signals an early end to his role as Head of Global Soccer at Red Bull, a position he assumed in 2025. In that capacity, he oversaw the football operations of the company’s clubs, including RB Leipzig, Red Bull Salzburg and the New York Red Bulls.

German media reports say Red Bull has agreed to release Klopp from his contract without demanding compensation, with the arrangement instead involving a donation of about one million euros to the Wings for Life Foundation, the company’s charity supporting research into spinal cord injuries.

Klopp built his coaching reputation in Germany with Mainz before transforming Borussia Dortmund into Bundesliga champions and UEFA Champions League finalists.

He later cemented his status as one of world football’s elite managers during a highly successful spell at Liverpool, guiding the English club to its first Premier League title in 30 years in 2020 and winning the UEFA Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, FA Cup and League Cup.

He stepped down from the Liverpool job in 2024, citing exhaustion after nearly nine years at Anfield.

Should the appointment be confirmed on Friday, Klopp will become the man tasked with restoring Germany’s status among international football’s elite ahead of the next World Cup cycle.