Klopp on DFB job: “Then I would think about it”

For the first time, Jürgen Klopp has signaled a concrete interest in becoming national coach, reigniting speculation about the future of German football. The former coach of Liverpool FC and FC Bayern Munich said “Then I would think about it” when asked about a possible national team. This statement marks a turning point, as the German Football Association (DFB) is currently looking for a successor to Julian Nagelsmann.

Nagelsmann's future is uncertain and the search for an alternative could now lead directly towards Klopp. The conditions for such a change seem to have already been created, which is massively accelerating the discussion about the next head of the DFB team. Klopp's direct reaction is seen as a semi-official signal, which stands in contrast to his previous rather evasive answers.

It suggests that the 56-year-old can at least imagine returning to the coaching bench if the conditions are right. This openness is being followed with great attention in the DFB environment, as it opens up an opportunity to rethink the previous strategy when choosing a coach. For the DFB, this development means a possible course correction with regard to the 2026 World Cup.

Should Nagelsmann leave or be unable to maintain his position, Klopp would be a candidate whose name alone ensures international respect and whose appeal to players is undisputed. The coming weeks will show whether the association is actively pursuing this option and how concrete the negotiations could be to bring back one of the most successful German coaches for the 2026 World Cup. The debate about Klopp's possible return is also a question of sports-political symbolism.

Germany faces the challenge of returning to the top of the world after years of dry spells. With his titles in the Premier League and the Champions League, Klopp embodies exactly the culture of success that the DFB is looking for in the national team. His leadership philosophy – characterized by emotional intelligence and clear communication – could have a lasting impact on the team structure and leave a lasting impression on young talents like Florian Wirtz or Jamal Musiala.

There is also the time factor: the 2026 World Cup is approaching, and the DFB does not have a convincing perspective with Nagelsmann's inconsistent record (11 wins, 5 draws, 7 defeats in 23 games). With his experience, Klopp would have the chance to build the team in a targeted manner in the remaining two years and avoid the mistakes of the past. His entry would not only be a personnel change, but a cultural new beginning.

Klopp's direct reaction is seen as a semi-official signal, which stands in contrast to his previous rather evasive answers. It suggests that the 56-year-old can at least imagine returning to the coaching bench if the conditions are right. This openness is being followed with great attention in the DFB environment, as it opens up an opportunity to rethink the previous strategy when choosing a coach.

For the DFB, this development means a possible course correction with regard to the 2026 World Cup. Should Nagelsmann leave or be unable to maintain his position, Klopp would be a candidate whose name alone ensures international respect and whose appeal to players is undisputed. The coming weeks will show whether the association is actively pursuing this option and how concrete the negotiations could be to bring back one of the most successful German coaches for the 2026 World Cup.

What's next: The DFB is facing one of the most important personnel decisions in recent decades. If Klopp actually comes on board, the association would have to act quickly to clarify the framework conditions - from the length of the contract to support in the team. At the same time, Nagelsmann's future will have to be clarified in the next few weeks.

A possible scenario: Klopp takes over after the 2024 European Championship as an interim solution to form the team until 2026. The next few days will show whether the association seizes the opportunity or continues to rely on other options. Read at Die Welt Sport