"Regarding the appointment of a new coach, the DFB leadership will now seek talks with Jurgen Klopp. He has already signalled his general willingness to take on the position."
That line, reported by goal.com, is the clearest sign yet that Germany are not just starting a coaching search. They have already moved toward the strongest available name. Julian Nagelsmann resigned less than three years into the job after Germany’s round-of-32 exit to Paraguay, and the DFB’s response was quick enough to make Klopp look like the leading candidate rather than just an obvious name on a shortlist.
The DFB's move for Klopp
The timing matters here because the federation did not spend days hiding behind generic statements. It held a three-hour crisis meeting in Frankfurt before moving to contact Klopp, which gives the whole process a sharper edge than the usual speculation around a vacant national team job.
The DFB statement goes further than that. It says Klopp has already signalled his general willingness to take the position. For a federation to say that publicly is unusual enough on its own. It also pushes this beyond the stage where Germany can pretend they are only sounding out the market.
There is still a little caution on Klopp’s side. Speaking to liverpoolecho.co.uk, he said: "I haven't thought about that yet. I understand that my name is being mentioned now, but it's not the time to talk about that."
That does not read like a rejection. It reads more like someone refusing to turn active contact into a public negotiation. His agent, Marc Kosicke, also suggested the role would be difficult for him to keep refusing, saying Klopp feels connected to the country and carries a sense of obligation toward the job.
This is where the only real debate sits. Some reports leave room for the idea that Klopp is simply one option among several, and his own quote is careful. Even so, the balance of evidence points one way. Once the DFB says it wants talks and says the candidate is willing to discuss the role, first-choice status is a fair reading.
Klopp stepped down as Liverpool manager in summer 2024 after almost nine years in charge, so there is no need here for a complicated release or a club standoff. Germany are chasing availability as much as pedigree, and very few elite names offer both at the same time.
Nagelsmann's exit and the context Klopp would inherit
Nagelsmann’s resignation was framed in his own words as a reset. He told bundesliga.com: "I have given this a great deal of thought over the past few days since our elimination and have discussed the matter with close friends and colleagues. This decision was anything but easy for me. My primary goal has always been the team's success. After such a bitter disappointment, the team deserves the chance to make a fresh start without any baggage."
That is a pretty blunt admission that the World Cup exit had changed the atmosphere around the side. It also explains why the DFB moved so quickly after the resignation instead of trying to steady the situation with an interim plan.
Nagelsmann’s overall record was not disastrous. He leaves with 23 wins, 6 draws and 7 defeats from 37 matches. On paper, that is respectable enough. In practice, international jobs are judged differently, and a tournament exit to Paraguay in the round of 32 leaves very little room for patience, especially with expectations around Germany always set high.
There is also a financial angle, although it should be treated as reported rather than settled fact. Goal.com reported that the DFB faces a €7 million severance package to terminate Nagelsmann’s contract, which ran until 2028. That only adds to the sense that this is a decisive break rather than a soft transition.
Germany's next step
The next game gives the federation a clear deadline. Germany are away to the Netherlands on 24 September, so this search is not drifting into the background for long.
For now, the strongest fact in the story is still the simplest one: Germany have publicly confirmed talks for Klopp and publicly stated that he is open to the role. Until another name gets that level of backing, he is the leading candidate for the job.
FAQ
Will Jurgen Klopp take the Germany job after Julian Nagelsmann resigned?
The DFB has confirmed it wants talks with Jurgen Klopp and said he has already signalled a general willingness to take the position. Klopp has not committed publicly, saying he has not thought about it yet and that now is not the time to discuss it.
Why did Germany move for Jurgen Klopp so quickly?
Germany moved fast after Julian Nagelsmann resigned following the round-of-32 exit to Paraguay. The DFB held a three-hour crisis meeting in Frankfurt before turning to Klopp, which points to him being the leading option even if his side has not openly confirmed a deal is close.
Was Julian Nagelsmann doing badly before leaving Germany?
Not across his whole spell. Nagelsmann left with 23 wins, 6 draws and 7 defeats from 37 matches, which is a decent return on paper. The resignation was framed around the World Cup disappointment and his own view that the team needed a fresh start without baggage.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 5 outlets. How we work →