Jürgen Klopp named Germany head coach, warns media he will quit if family harassed

The appointment

Jürgen Klopp was officially presented as the new head coach of the German national team on Friday at the DFB campus in Frankfurt. The 59-year-old former Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool manager signed a four-year contract from August 15, 2026 until the 2030 World Cup. He succeeds Julian Nagelsmann, who stepped down after Germany's round-of-16 defeat to Paraguay at the 2026 World Cup. DFB president Bernd Neuendorf said the supervisory board and shareholders' meeting had voted unanimously for Klopp, calling him "our desired solution from the start." Klopp becomes the 13th head coach in DFB history. His backroom staff includes long-time assistants Pepijn Lijnders and Peter Krawietz, plus former Dortmund player Sven Bender. Advisor Marc Kosicke will serve as "co-trainer for strategy, development and innovation." The DFB paid Red Bull a one-million-euro release fee, which will go to the Wings for Life foundation, after dissolving Klopp's contract as Head of Global Soccer that ran until 2029.

Klopp's warning to the media

In his first press conference, Klopp issued a blunt ultimatum. "If you misbehave or don't leave my family alone, I'm gone," he said. He added that if the media called him "shit" the next day, he would also walk away, though he clarified it would take more than one critic. The warning dominated international headlines. The Telegraph reported that Klopp "threatens to resign on the day of his presentation," while The Sun quoted him: "Leave my family alone." The Liverpool Echo noted he "sends a clear message" after his appointment was confirmed. Klopp said he expects full commitment from players: "Whoever gives it gas will have a lot of fun with me."

If you misbehave or don't leave my family alone, I'm gone.

Staff and structural changes

Alongside Klopp, the DFB announced that 2014 World Cup winner Per Mertesacker will become managing director sport from January 1, 2027, replacing Andreas Rettig, who will leave at the end of the year. Mertesacker, 41, will be introduced gradually during a transition period. Klopp said he would also delve into the DFB's structures: "Whoever gets Jürgen gets him." He wants to help German football become internationally successful again. He has drawn up a list of 57 outfield players and promised opportunities to those who "don't even expect it yet." Tactically, he plans to play with a back four, emphasizing "good organization," a "clear football idea," and courage.

International reaction

The appointment drew global attention. Spain's Marca wrote that "all eyes are on Klopp" and his ability to build competitive teams is Germany's great hope. The BBC asked whether he was "Messiah or mere cosmetics," while L'Équipe noted the "heavy responsibility of revitalizing a four-time world champion lacking results." Italy's Gazzetta dello Sport highlighted his warning: "No personal attacks, otherwise I go." Corriere dello Sport called him a "visionary coach." Austria's Der Standard said the announcement was "the worst-kept secret in world football."

His ability to build competitive teams is the great hope of a Germany working to regain lost prestige and compete for major titles again.

What's next

Klopp's debut will be on September 24 in the Nations League against the Netherlands. He said there is "no career after this" and that he will put everything into the role. The contract runs until the 2030 World Cup, with the 2028 European Championship in England as an intermediate target. Klopp said the national team "can connect us Germans like hardly anything else," calling the job a "great honor and very special day."