Klopp Says He Is Ready But Agreement On Germany Job Will Take Time
NEW YORK, July 4 (NNN-dpa) -- Jürgen Klopp has confirmed he is in talks with the German Football Federation (DFB) about becoming national team coach in succession of Julian Nagelsmann, reported German Press Agency (dpa).
Klopp said on MagentaTV that the matter will take time and that "it will have to be intensive talks because the problems we have at the moment are not linked to the person Julian Nagelsmann".
The DFB said earlier on Friday that Nagelsmann was stepping down after almost three years on the job following Germany's World Cup last 32 defeat on penalties against Paraguay.
Former Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool coach Klopp has been considered a top candidate for the Germany job before. He is currently Head of Global Soccer at Red Bull and out of coaching since his Liverpool departure in the summer of 2024.
"I am more than recharged now, so I am ready," said Klopp.
Klopp praised Nagelsmann as an "extraordinary coach" and said the situation would be very different had Germany not lost against Paraguay.
“But now things are as they are. Julian has resigned, and the DFB is looking to appoint a successor; as part of their deliberations, they approached me,” he said.
He said he has talked to his boss at Red Bull, Oliver Mintzlaff, and that a solution must be found. Klopp has a Red Bull contract until 2029.
“Ideally, in the end there are only winners following a situation like this; you simply say, ‘OK, Red Bull must be able to come out of this with its reputation intact’,” Klopp said.
--NNN-dpa
