Jürgen Klopp appointed Germany coach as DFB begins national team rebuild
Jürgen Klopp will take over the German national team with a contract starting August 15, 2026, as the DFB moves to rebuild after the World Cup setback; Per Mertesacker to become DFB CEO in January 2027, with Euro 2028 in view.
Jürgen Klopp was formally announced as the new head coach of the Germany national team at a press presentation in Frankfurt, with his contract to begin on August 15, 2026. The German Football Association (DFB) said the appointment is part of a long-term plan to restore the national side ahead of the 2030 World Cup and the nearer-term target of qualification for Euro 2028. The presentation followed intensive negotiations and concludes a recruitment process that the federation described as a strategic reset.
Contract details and duration
Klopp, 59, signed a deal that the DFB says secures his services through the next World Cup cycle, keeping him tied to the national team through the summer of 2030. The agreement was reached after three weeks of focused talks between Klopp’s representatives and DFB leadership, who had identified him early as their preferred candidate to replace Julian Nagelsmann. The federation indicated that the contract includes specific milestones linked to team development and major tournament performance.
Immediate calendar and first assignments
The DFB confirmed that Klopp’s first competitive assignments will come at the start of the new international season, with a Nations League block scheduled for late September 2026. Germany faces four fixtures — matches against the Netherlands, Serbia and two games with Greece — that will serve as early tests of Klopp’s ideas and squad selections. The federation expects Klopp to use those games to establish a tactical baseline and to begin integrating players who fit the renewal plan.
Coaching staff and supporting figures
Klopp will bring a familiar backroom group to the national setup, the DFB said, naming long-time assistants Peter Krawietz and Pepijn Lijnders among the coaching staff. Sven Bender, a former Dortmund team-mate, will also join as a member of the coaching team. The federation stressed that the blend of Klopp’s trusted aides and new support figures is intended to combine continuity in methods with a fresh focus on the national team’s culture and mentality.
Negotiations with Red Bull and financial terms
A central hurdle in the appointment was Klopp’s existing position as Head of Global Soccer for Red Bull, a post he held until his release earlier this year. DFB representatives, including president Bernd Neuendorf and vice-president Hans-Joachim Watzke, traveled to meet Klopp during the World Cup and later held talks with Red Bull executives to secure a release. As part of the settlement the DFB confirmed a payment of one million euros to Red Bull’s foundation and announced a related agreement that will see three international matches staged in Leipzig before 2030.
Strategic aims: Euro 2028 and rebuilding the squad
The federation has framed Klopp’s hiring as the start of a rebuild aimed at making Germany competitive again at major tournaments. Euro 2028 in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland is the nearer objective, with qualification matches scheduled next year, while the 2030 World Cup represents the long-term horizon for measurable progress. DFB officials said they did not explore multiple external candidates once Klopp emerged as the preferred choice and that the deal was pursued to give the national team stability and a clear sporting pathway.
Klopp’s public remarks and expectations
At his unveiling in Frankfurt, Klopp spoke of the privilege of leading his country’s national team and of the responsibility that comes with the role. He thanked his former employer for the opportunity to learn during his recent corporate stint and signalled commitment to a patient, collective rebuilding process. Klopp also issued a blunt message to the media about limits to public scrutiny and personal attacks, saying that persistent, unfair criticism could prompt him to step away — a warning the DFB described as a candid statement about the pressures of the job.
Klopp’s return to coaching at the international level follows an extensive club career that included promotions and domestic titles in Germany and major trophies with Liverpool in England. The DFB stressed that his track record of team building and player development was a decisive factor in the appointment, and that his style is expected to emphasize unity, energy and an attacking ethos suited to the modern international game.
Per Mertesacker’s appointment as DFB executive from January 2027 was announced alongside Klopp’s hiring, signalling coordinated changes at both sporting and administrative levels. The federation described the moves as complementary: appointing a high-profile coach while strengthening executive leadership to support long-term planning, youth integration and domestic infrastructure.
The coming months will test how quickly Klopp can put his imprint on the squad, align his coaching staff with the federation’s objectives and deliver competitive results in the Nations League and the forthcoming qualification campaign. Fans and officials will watch early selections and tactical approaches closely as the DFB measures progress against the stated targets for Euro 2028 and beyond.
