Jurgen Klopp has been unveiled as Germany manager – and has already revealed what will make him quit the job.
The Liverpool legend, 59, is back in the dugout having enjoyed a stint overseeing Red Bull’s football operation after leaving Anfield in 2024, and has been tasked with turning the national team around after another disappointing major tournament.
Julian Nagelsmann was given his marching orders after the Germans crashed out to Paraguay in the Round of 32, leading to an inquest into the team’s performance –where the players’ WAGs and families were placed under the spotlight.
Nagelsmann’s partner also made headlines, with German media reporting that his girlfriend, Lena Wurzenberger, was an almost constant presence in the camp.
But Klopp has already set his stall in a robust unveiling, insisting that he will quit the job immediately if his family face any scrutiny.
‘The day you don’t want me anymore, you say so and I’m gone, without severance pay,’ he said via Bild.
‘If you say tomorrow that he’s rubbish, I’m gone. Not just one person, it would have to be more than that. If the DFB says he’s rubbish, I’m gone. If you behave badly and don’t leave my family in peace, I’m gone.’
Jurgen Klopp is Germany’s new manager, but has already set out what will make him quit
Klopp says he will leave if the media ‘don’t leave my family in peace’ after his predecessor Julian Nagelsmann’s relationship with an ex-reporter made headlines
Klopp also described his appointment to the national team position as ‘the highlight of my career’.
‘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.’
Wurzenberger, 34, reportedly caused ‘quite a stir’ among the squad after being ‘more present than probably any national team’s coach before her’.
She was first spotted at Germany’s pre-tournament camp in Frankfurt, when she was pictured watching training from a balcony along with a host of the players’ partners.
And after her boyfriend’s side thumped Curacao 7-1 – Wurzenberger hung around to watch the German substitutes complete their warm down.
It was then reported that she accompanied Nagelsmann back to the team hotel, before the duo were seen cycling to training together the following morning.
‘There is naturally always that feeling that when the boss’s wife is in the room, you might not always be completely honest at the table when talking about the national coach,’ local reporters speculated during the tournament.
Klopp met second wife Ulla Sandrock in 2005 and married her that same year
Wurzenberger, and indeed Nagelsmann, also incited criticism from Germany legend Lothar Matthaus, who admitted her constant presence is far from ‘ideal’.
The midfielder, who earned 150 caps, said on German television: ‘She just shouldn’t appear in the pictures too often – that wouldn’t be ideal in my opinion.
‘The players have days off and their families can come to the hotel. Lena (Wurzenberger) did that too. From my perspective, I think it’s perfectly normal.
‘Lena was able to come to the hotel just like the players’ girlfriends and wives. You can see the solidarity – but the rule shouldn’t apply to the coach. It has to happen during the time when we players are seeing their families.’
Nagelsmann and Wurzenberger are reported to have started dating soon after he split from his ex-wife Verena, following 15 years together, in 2022.
At that point Nagelsmann was manager of German giants Bayern Munich – and his new love interest reported on the club for Bild.
An article from the publication announcing their romance read: ‘Julian Nagelsmann loves Bild reporter’.
Klopp married social worker and children’s writer Ulla Sandrock in December 2005, having met at a pub during an Oktoberfest celebration that same year. He was previously married to ex-wife Sabine, with whom he shares a child.
More to follow.
