World Cup 2026: Jurgen Klopp agrees deal in principle to become Germany coach

Klopp was working as a pundit for German television during the World Cup.

He has repeatedly been linked with a return to club management, most notably Real Madrid in March, which he said was “complete nonsense”.

Klopp has led Liverpool to seven major victories, including the 2019-20 Premier League title and the 2019 Champions League title.

He previously led Borussia Dortmund to two German Bundesliga titles between 2008 and 2015, and was in charge of Mainz 05 for seven years, where he spent almost his entire playing career.

Watzke, 69, worked closely with Klopp at Dortmund, where he was general manager from 2005 until he resigned at his own request.

The relationship is thought to be one of the key factors in holding negotiations so quickly with one of football’s most sought-after coaches, at a time when Germany is trying to recover from a dismal World Cup showing.

Germany was eliminated in the round of 32 of this summer’s tournament, losing to Paraguay on penalties and continuing to perform below average in major tournaments.

After Joachim Low guided Germany to their fourth World Cup win in 2014, they failed to advance past the group stage in 2018 and 2022, with Hansi Flick in charge for the second season.

Nagelsmann replaced Flick in September 2023, initially on a contract until the end of Euro 2024, hosted by Germany.

They reached the quarter-finals before losing to eventual winners Spain in extra time.

Nagelsmann’s contract was later extended until this year’s World Cup and then Euro 2028, but he resigned after his second major tournament.