"This is not a done deal yet," Hans-Joachim Watzke told bavarianfootballworks.com. That is still the clearest read on Jürgen Klopp's talks over the Germany job. The DFB held initial in-depth talks with Klopp in New York on Friday and said an agreement was reached on key points of a potential contract, but the process has not crossed the line.
Watzke's quote is useful because it cuts through the noise. He called Klopp plan A, said the chances are higher than 50%, and in the same breath stressed that there are still hurdles, especially with Klopp under contract elsewhere. For all the momentum around this move, Germany still has work to do before it can call anything official.
Watzke's warning on the deal
Watzke, the CEO of Borussia Dortmund, did not sound like someone trying to sell certainty. He said: "This is not a done deal yet. There are still hurdles to overcome. Especially considering that he has a contract at RB. I'm a bit more skeptical than others. I'm convinced the chances are higher than 50%, but that doesn't mean it's 100%. Jürgen is our plan A and we want to implement our plan A. There are problems to be solved."
That leaves the story in a fairly obvious place. Klopp is the preferred choice, and talks are real enough that key points of a contract have already been agreed. But one side of this story is the DFB's ambition, the other is whether it can actually prise him away from his current role.
The talks will continue next week and remain subject to an agreement with Klopp's current employer, Red Bull Salzburg. Reports have described discussions over a structure that could allow Klopp to take the Germany job without the federation paying compensation, though that has not been confirmed. Reports have also pointed to a possible arrangement in which he would keep a Red Bull ambassador role while coaching Germany.
There is a reason the wording matters here. Some outlets have treated Klopp's move as close to certain, while others have kept more distance because the exit terms are still being worked through. The harder line is the sensible one for now: Germany is pushing hard, Klopp appears willing, but the deal is still a negotiation.
The Red Bull contract and the money
The contract issue is not a small detail. Klopp currently serves as Head of Global Soccer for the Red Bull group under a deal that runs until 2029, so any appointment is tied to whatever can be agreed around that commitment.
Watzke also made clear that money is part of the discussion. He said: "Jürgen's willingness to solve these problems is a significant help. Of course, we have our [financial] limits. We expect, or rather I expect, a slight 'patriotism discount' from Jürgen in particular. I know that he loves Germany."
That sounds slightly blunt, but it is probably honest. Germany wants the biggest name available and seems to know it cannot simply throw cash at the problem. If Klopp does take the job, it may be because all sides find a compromise that suits the federation's limits as much as Klopp's own interest in the role.
Why Germany wants a reset now
Part of the urgency is easy to understand. Germany's last 10 results stand at 5 wins, 1 draw and 4 defeats. That is not a collapse, but it is uneven enough to keep the federation looking for a reset. A 7-1 win over Curaçao showed the upside in this group, while the 2-1 loss to Ecuador underlined that the inconsistency has not gone away.
Germany also sits first in Group E, so this is not a case of a team in total disarray. It is more a question of whether the federation wants a bigger rebuild around Klopp than a standard coaching change.
Thomas Müller put that point well when he told bavarianfootballworks.com: "The choice of Jürgen is an interesting one because he's not just a coach, or someone who has been a successful coach. In his current role [at Red Bull], he's also involved in building structures and organizational processes. This isn't simply about bringing in a new coach to write names on the tactics board; it's about putting the right structures in place so that the necessary changes can actually be implemented. When you were a manager in England, you're much more than just a coach. You're involved in completely different processes and ways of thinking that go far beyond the job itself."
That wider rebuild is also why staff names keep coming up. Klopp is expected to bring Peter Krawietz and Zsolt Löw with him, and his years at Liverpool built the idea of him as more than just a touchline coach. Germany has clearly decided that if it can land him, it is buying into a whole structure rather than one appointment.
The next round of talks is due next week, and that is still where this story sits.
FAQ
Will Jürgen Klopp become Germany coach soon?
Talks have advanced, but the appointment is not done. Hans-Joachim Watzke said Klopp is Germany's plan A and rated the chances at higher than 50%, while also stressing that hurdles remain. The DFB held in-depth talks in New York, agreed key points of a potential contract, and plans to continue discussions next week.
Why is the Germany move for Jürgen Klopp not completed yet?
The main issues are Klopp's current Red Bull contract and the financial terms of the deal. Watzke said there are still problems to solve, especially because Klopp is under contract, and he also made clear there are financial limits. Any final step is still subject to an agreement with Klopp's current employer.
What are the DFB and Red Bull discussing over Klopp?
Reports say the DFB and Red Bull are discussing a structure that could let Klopp coach Germany without the federation paying compensation. One reported option would see him continue as a Red Bull brand ambassador while taking the national team job, but that arrangement has not been confirmed.
Why do people think Klopp would change more than just Germany's tactics?
Thomas Müller argued that Klopp brings more than coaching. He said Klopp is involved in building structures and organisational processes, not just writing names on a tactics board. That fits the wider sense that Germany wants a reset, especially with a recent 5-1-4 run across its last 10 results.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 3 outlets. How we work →