Jurgen Klopp Appointed as New Head Coach of the German National Team

Jurgen Klopp was officially appointed today, Friday, as the new head coach of the German national team. The 59-year-old coach has signed a contract through 2030, replacing Julian Nagelsmann, who ended his tenure following the team's failure at the World Cup. His first test will be the Nations League match against the Netherlands in Amsterdam in late September.

Klopp is widely considered one of the most successful coaches in the history of German football. He led Borussia Dortmund to two league titles and a German Cup victory before managing Liverpool from 2015 to 2024. During his time at Anfield, he guided the Merseysiders to victory in the Champions League, the Premier League, and several other titles. This appointment marks the first time in his career that he will lead a national team.

Klopp's long-time assistants, Peter Krawietz and Pepijn Lijnders, will join his professional staff for the national team. Sven Bender will also join the team as a new assistant coach.

2014 World Champion Per Mertesacker will be appointed as the sporting director of the German Football Association, replacing Andreas Rettig. Mertesacker is expected to assume the position early next year, and will be gradually integrated into the association's activities until then.

According to reports in Germany, the German Football Association will not pay Red Bull compensation for releasing Klopp from his role as the company's global head of soccer. Instead, the association will donate one million euros to Red Bull's "Wings for Life" foundation, an organization dedicated to medical research on spinal cord injuries.

Germany's loss to Paraguay in a penalty shootout in the Round of 32 marked a third consecutive disappointing World Cup campaign for the four-time world champions, following group stage exits in 2018 and 2022. The national team's last World Cup victory was in 2014.

Nagelsmann initially expressed his desire to continue in the role, holding a contract until 2028, but a few days after the team returned to Germany, both sides reached an agreement to part ways. Throughout the recent period, Klopp was considered the leading candidate for the position.

Upcoming official matches for the German national team: