Jurgen Klopp appears poised for a return to management, with the former Liverpool boss emerging as the leading candidate to take charge of Germany.
The 59-year-old has already held discussions with the German FA, with officials saying he has signalled that he would be open to replacing Julian Nagelsmann. Nagelsmann stepped down on Friday morning following Germany’s embarrassing World Cup exit, sealed by a penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay.
Nagelsmann had faced mounting criticism during the tournament, particularly over the atmosphere around the squad. His decision to have his wife, Lena Wurzenberger, as a regular presence in camp, while also allowing players’ wives and girlfriends to remain close to the team in an effort to create a relaxed environment, drew unease in Germany after the campaign unravelled.
In a statement, the DFB said: “Regarding the appointment of a new coach, the DFB leadership will now seek talks with Jurgen Klopp. He has already signalled his general willingness to take on the position.”
Klopp was a prominent figure throughout the tournament in his role with German television, an at-times uncomfortable pitchside presence as pressure intensified on Nagelsmann and the national side struggled to meet expectations.
Asked about the growing calls for him to take the job, Klopp remained cautious, saying: “I haven’t thought about that yet. I understand that my name is being mentioned now. But it’s not the time to talk about that.”
Jurgen Klopp has indicated he would be willing to take over as Germany manager
Former Germany captain Lothar Matthaus has claimed players’ girlfriends and wives contributed to their shock World Cup exit — pictured: Alexander Nubel’s girlfriend Eileen Rakowski and Nadiem Amiri’s girlfriend Nele Kracht
Nagelsmann, 38, saw his side knocked out in the round of 32 on penalties and the German FA gave him an ultimatum to step aside. He will now receive a £6million pay-off.
Having been summoned to a three-hour meeting at the DFB’s headquarters in Frankfurt on Thursday, Nagelsmann was taken to task over his tactical decisions, as well as a ‘family and friends atmosphere’ in the Germany camp. Former Germany captain Lothar Matthaus claimed team disputes had been caused by players’ wives and girlfriends, suggesting squad members had been distracted.
After losing against Paraguay, the former Bayern Munich manager said ‘I’m definitely not one to run away’, but he was told to consider resigning voluntarily, with bosses said to want him to depart with his ‘head held high’.
He has decided to do just that, walking away when it had been planned for him to lead the team in the European Championship in two years.
Nagelsmann has attracted heat over the WAGs situation, sparked initially by questions about his own wife Lena Wurzenberger being around the camp.
Wurzenberger, 34, had become a talking point having been a ‘constant presence’ around the camp.
The former sports journalist, who switched job after being linked to Nagelsmann, 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.
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Wurzenberger was then seen watching Germany’s substitutes complete their warm down after their 7-1 win over Curacao in their opening match and accompanied Nagelsmann back to the team hotel, before the duo were seen cycling to training together the following morning.
Julian Nagelsmann has quit his job as Germany manager after their World Cup nightmare – German media had questioned the presence of his wife Lena around the camp
Matthaus claimed disputes had emerged behind the scenes over the travel arrangements of family members – Pictured: Leon Goretzka’s girlfriend Mathea Fischer
‘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,’ reporters had speculated.
Matthaus said of the situation: ‘There’s a lot to process, both on and off the pitch. Wives, families, everyone was involved. Lots of headlines.
‘I don’t know why you have to involve all the families right from the start.
‘Then it’s about travel options, about hotel bookings. That was all a topic within the team. It never appeared in the media, but I know it was a topic of discussion.
‘One player was angry with another because one player’s mother was allowed to fly along, while another’s wife and children were allowed to fly. The others had to take a commercial flight.’
The partners of Kai Havertz, Manuel Neuer, Alexander Nubel, Nadiem Amiri and Leon Goretzka had been high-profile figures in the stands at the World Cup.
Kai Havertz with his wife Sophia after Germany’s group stage game against Ivory Coast
Wurzenberger, far left, had been seen watching training at Germany’s pre-World Cup training camp
On Friday morning, the DFB confirmed Nagelsmann’s exit, writing: ‘“The shareholders’ representatives and the supervisory board of DFB GmbH & Co. KG today unanimously decided, on the proposal of DFB President Bernd Neuendorf, to immediately terminate the contractual relationship with national team coach Julian Nagelsmann.
‘Julian Nagelsmann had already requested to be relieved of his duties the previous day in a confidential meeting with the association’s leadership following the disappointing outcome of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
‘This request has now been granted by the shareholders’ representatives and the supervisory board.’
