If Germany Makes a Change, Is Jurgen Klopp the Obvious Choice?

Published on June 30th, 2026
Written By: Ariel Noel


Germany entered the 2026 FIFA World Cup with genuine expectations of making a deep run. Instead, they leave the tournament surrounded by questions.

This was not just about losing to Paraguay on penalties. Penalties happen. Good teams lose shootouts all the time.

The bigger problem is that Germany never really looked convincing.

They were unconvincing in the group stage, then ran into a disciplined Paraguay team that sat deep, stayed organized, and dared Germany to find a way through. Germany could not do it.

That is when a disappointing result starts to look like part of a much bigger problem.

Julian Nagelsmann, the current Germany manager, remains under contract through Euro 2028 and has said that he does not intend to resign. That matters. Germany does not have an official vacancy yet.

But it certainly feels like a conversation has started.

And once that conversation starts, it does not take long before one name rises above the rest.

Jurgen Klopp.

Klopp is almost too obvious. German. Former Borussia Dortmund manager. Former Liverpool manager. Champions League winner. Premier League winner. Big personality. Big resume. Big enough for the job.

Germany is not looking for a project manager right now. They already have one of the brightest young managers in football.

What they may need is authority.

That is what makes the current setup so strange. Manuel Neuer, the Germany goalkeeper, is two years older than Nagelsmann. That does not mean Nagelsmann cannot manage Germany, but it does underline how unusual the situation is. A young manager is trying to lead a national team that still carries the expectations of an old football empire.

Germany does not need to be educated on football.

It needs to be restored.

That is why Klopp makes so much sense. He has already shown that he can take proud football institutions that have lost their edge and make them feel dangerous again. He did it at Dortmund. He did it at Liverpool.

The Germany job would also fit this stage of his career. Klopp is no longer managing a club through a 60-game season. He is currently working in a football executive role with Red Bull, but he has not completely shut the door on returning to management.

International football would be different. Fewer games. Bigger windows. Less daily club chaos. More time to prepare a team for major tournaments.

For Klopp, it could be the one job worth interrupting his break from the sidelines.

There are other names.

Hansi Flick has already managed Germany, but that ended badly enough that a return would feel unlikely.

Oliver Glasner would be interesting. He has Bundesliga experience, has won in Europe, and would bring a fresh voice. But he does not carry Klopp's weight.

Stefan Kuntz knows the German system and had success with Germany's youth teams. He would make some sense as a federation-friendly option, but this does not feel like a federation-friendly moment.

Thomas Tuchel would normally appear in a discussion like this, but he is currently managing England. Unless that situation changes, he is not a realistic candidate.

So Germany may have a list.

But it does not really feel like a long one.

The decision may come down to whether the German Football Association still believes Nagelsmann is the man to lead them into Euro 2028. If they do, the noise will eventually calm down.

If they do not, the next question is simple.

Can they get Klopp?

Because if Klopp wants the Germany job, everyone else becomes Plan B.