Jurgen Klopp has been identified as the German Football Association’s (DFB) leading candidate to take charge of the national team if current coach Julian Nagelsmann steps down after the 2026 World Cup, Soccernet.football reports.
Rudi Voller, the DFB’s sporting director, confirmed that the former Liverpool manager would be their first choice should a vacancy arise.
“There is no need to make a secret of the fact that Jurgen Klopp has an incredible CV,” Voller revealed in an interview with ZDF’s AktuelleSportstudio.
Voller hinted that if Nagelsmann were to pursue a return to club management, Klopp would be the obvious successor.
“If Julian were to decide at some point that he wanted to take over a top club in Germany or Europe again, then of course there would be no way around Jürgen, that’s clear. If he wants to…”
Voller also admitted that no formal discussions have taken place yet, and Klopp’s own future plans remain uncertain.
“I don’t even know what Jurgen would like to do again,” Voller said. Still, his message to Klopp was clear: the DFB would welcome him with open arms whenever he is ready for the role.
Julian Nagelsmann, currently leading Germany, has impressed with his innovative tactics since taking over. He is expected to guide the national team through the 2026 World Cup.
However, there is a sense that the DFB is prepared for a potential shift. Voller hinted at the possibility of Nagelsmann returning to club football, and noted that Sandro Wagner, Nagelsmann’s assistant, has received offers from clubs but will stay with the national team for now.
While the DFB is backing Nagelsmann for the foreseeable future, Voller’s comments suggest a readiness to pivot to Klopp if the opportunity presents itself.
Klopp has been on a self-imposed sabbatical after leaving Liverpool earlier this year.
Although he turned down an approach from the United States national team, the idea of leading his home country may be more appealing.
Klopp himself has remained somewhat non-committal about his next steps. “I don’t feel any tickling regarding a return to the bench,” he said. However, he acknowledged that he isn’t completely ruling out a return, stating, “Believe it or not: I am working. Not the way I did before, but I am not chilling all day.”
The transition to international football could be a natural next step for Klopp. Managing a national team comes with less of the day-to-day grind that club football demands, something Klopp mentioned as a reason for stepping down from Liverpool.
However, the less consistent nature of international matches might make implementing his trademark high-intensity, pressing style more challenging.