Klopp Agrees Key Deal to Become Germany Coach - DFB Confirms New York Talks
DFB says Jurgen Klopp agreed key contract points after a New York meeting with Neuendorf and Watzke. Nagelsmann resigned after World Cup exit. Red Bull exit next.
Jurgen Klopp is coming back to the dugout - and it looks like Germany.
On July 11, 2026, the DFB confirmed that president Bernd Neuendorf and vice president Hans-Joachim Watzke held an intensive meeting with Klopp in New York. During those talks, they reached agreement on the key points of a possible contract as national team coach.
Julian Nagelsmann resigned after Germany crashed out of the 2026 World Cup in the Round of 32 - a penalty loss to Paraguay. Klopp was the only name in the federation’s succession statement. Now the deal is almost there. What remains: his exit from Red Bull.
What the DFB said
“DFB president Bernd Neuendorf and vice president Hans-Joachim Watzke held an initial intensive meeting with Jurgen Klopp yesterday in New York regarding his possible appointment as national team coach. During the constructive exchange, an agreement was reached on the key points of a possible contract.”
Negotiations on leaving Red Bull continue next week. The federation wants a clean exit. Then Klopp returns to coaching for the first time since Liverpool.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| June 29, 2026 | Germany out - lose on penalties to Paraguay (Round of 32) |
| Days later | Nagelsmann resigns |
| DFB statement | Will seek talks with Klopp - he signalled willingness |
| Klopp on TV | Confirms talks, says he is “more than recharged” |
| July 10 | Meeting in New York - Neuendorf, Watzke, Klopp |
| July 11 | DFB confirms key contract points agreed |
| Next week | Red Bull exit talks |
Why Klopp? Why now?
Klopp left Liverpool in 2024 saying he was running out of energy after eight years, a Premier League title and a Champions League. In January 2025 he became Red Bull’s head of global soccer - strategy, not matchdays.
At this World Cup he worked as a Magenta TV pundit in Germany, sitting so close to the team that his presence overshadowed Nagelsmann’s campaign. After the Paraguay exit, the country wanted a reset. The DFB named only him.
Klopp said German football is at a “turning point” and needs “fundamental” change - whether he takes the job or someone else does. Then he took the meeting. Then they shook on the key points.
His reported salary at Red Bull is about £8.5m a year - more than Nagelsmann earned with Germany. Expensive. Still the hire the federation wants.
What comes next
- Finish Red Bull departure (verbal understanding already reported)
- Formal DFB appointment
- Rebuild for Euro 2028 qualification
- Long-term renewal of a team that fell short of its own history
Germany have not looked like world champions since 2014. Klopp’s job, if the paperwork lands, is to make them feel dangerous again.
FAQ
Is Jurgen Klopp Germany coach? The DFB confirmed agreement on key contract points after New York talks. Official appointment waits on his Red Bull exit.
Why did Nagelsmann leave? He resigned after Germany lost to Paraguay on penalties in the Round of 32.
When did Klopp last coach? He left Liverpool in 2024. No dugout since.
What is left to finalize? Contract details with Red Bull so he can leave cleanly.
In short
- DFB + Klopp - key deal points agreed in New York
- Nagelsmann gone after World Cup flop
- Red Bull exit still to close
- “More than recharged” - ready to coach again
- Next mission: rebuild Germany for Euro 2028
The heavy metal football guy is coming home. German football just got loud again.