Jurgen Klopp insists he will quit his job as Germany manager if his family come under attack from the German media during his tenure.
Klopp, 59, has taken on his first coaching role since leaving Liverpool, citing fatigue, two years ago. The head coach has signed a contract through to the 2030 World Cup to lead his country, after their World Cup last-32 exit to Paraguay last month.
Klopp has taken on something of a low-profile since his trophy-laden nine-year stint at Anfield, occupying a role as Red Bull’s Head of Global Soccer since January 2025. He was also a pundit for German television at the World Cup.
Talks took place with the DFB after Germany’s exit and Julian Nagelsmann’s resignation, and while excited after the link-up was confirmed on Friday, Klopp had a firm warning for the media at his first press conference.
“The day you don’t want me anymore, I’m gone – without any severance pay,” he said at his unveiling.
“If you say tomorrow that he’s s***, I’m gone. Not just one person, it would have to be more than that. If the DFB says he’s s***, I’m gone.
“If you behave badly and don’t leave my family in peace, I’m gone. Criticise me if something doesn’t work. I’m happy to work on it. It’s all about the job.
“Jurgen Klopp doesn’t have a career after the national team. Ideally, this is the highlight of my career”
Klopp, who won every club trophy possible at Liverpool after his successful stint at Borussia Dortmund, created headlines during his punditry stint at the World Cup by suggesting that Deniz Undav should have started ahead of Jamal Musiala and then saying that “Julian Nagelsmann is still picking the team – for now.”
Klopp was called out over the “for now” comment by former German players and apologised, saying he felt like “punching himself in the face”.
Following these incidents and ahead of Nagelsmann’s resignation, the 59-year-old played coy about the prospect of replacing him by saying: “I understand that when the national coach position is discussed, my name is mentioned in some form but it’s not the moment to really talk about it.”
Klopp’s national team ambitions were well known during the World Cup and his contract with Red Bull included a special exit clause designed specifically so that he could take on the Germany job should it become available.
“The national team brings us Germans together like almost nothing else can. That’s what makes this task so special for me,” Klopp said at his unveiling in Frankfurt on Friday morning.
Meanwhile, Klopp’s long-time managerial rival Pep Guardiola has turned down the chance to coach Italy after his departure from Manchester City.
