Jurgen Klopp warns the media over family privacy as he takes Germany job
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New Germany head coach Jurgen Klopp attends a press conference with DFB president Bernd Neuendorf and vice-president Hans-Joachim Watzke.
PHOTO: REUTERS
BERLIN – Jurgen Klopp began his tenure as Germany coach with a warning to the media as he was unveiled on a four-year contract on July 24, saying he would quit the job if his family was not left in peace.
The 59-year-old German, known for his high-intensity football and direct communication style, has been tasked with leading the four-time world champions into a new era after another disappointing World Cup campaign.
The former Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund manager replaces Julian Nagelsmann, who stepped down from the role after Germany’s penalty shoot-out defeat by Paraguay in the round of 32, extending the country’s run of poor World Cup performances following group-stage exits in 2018 and 2022.
“If you behave badly and don’t leave my family in peace then I’ll be gone, I’ll just turn away,” Klopp said.
“I'm not doing this job for myself, I’m doing it for you. I’m taking this job even though I've seen how you’ve treated Julian Nagelsmann and (England coach) Thomas Tuchel.
“I love this job but I am always ready to call it quits if need be.”
Klopp, who had been working as Red Bull’s global head of soccer after leaving Liverpool in 2024, will be assisted in the role by Peter Krawietz, Pep Lijnders and former Germany international Sven Bender.
In a typically expressive introductory press conference, he said the national team could connect “us Germans like hardly anything else” and that he was “looking forward to this special task in German football”.
German football association (DFB) president Bernd Neuendorf said Klopp had been the federation’s preferred candidate from the outset. “Our talks with Jurgen only strengthened our belief that he’s the right man at the right time,” he added.
Red Bull executive Oliver Mintzlaff said the company had agreed to release Klopp to allow him to take the Germany job.
Neuendorf said the federation would donate €1 million (S$1.47 million) to Red Bull’s Wings for Life foundation instead of paying compensation.
Germany’s latest early exit marked a third successive disappointing World Cup for a team who last lifted the trophy in 2014.
Klopp takes the job less than two years after joining Red Bull. He worked as a television pundit for German broadcasters during the World Cup and was widely viewed as the preferred choice among Germany fans.
However, he drew criticism during the tournament and later apologised after suggesting Nagelsmann’s time as national coach could be nearing an end.
One of Germany’s most successful club coaches, Klopp won two Bundesliga titles and the German Cup with Borussia Dortmund before taking charge of Liverpool in 2015. During nine years at Anfield, he led the club to almost every major honour, including the Champions League and Premier League titles.
“This (Germany) role is the highlight of my career and I’ll give all I’ve got to be successful,” he added. REUTERS
