FOOTBALL – Juergen Klopp began his tenure as Germany coach with a warning to the media yesterday, saying he would quit the job if his family was not left in peace, as he was unveiled on a four-year contract.
The 59-year-old German, known for his high-intensity football and direct communication style, has been tasked with leading the four-times 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 shootout 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 told reporters.
“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 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.”
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