National coach successor: This is what Klopp says: about the DFB, Red Bull and German football

At the end of an exciting day of football, which began with the resignation of Julian Nagelsmann, the national coach question is of course important. What Klopp has to say can give hope to fans who were so disappointed by the World Cup. “I’m more than refueled now, so I’m ready,” says the 59-year-old.

But there is one limitation. It won’t happen quickly, the Head of Global Soccer at Red Bull makes it clear with his dream solution for the vacant DFB position. When asked what was still missing for a signature, Klopp replied with one word: “Time”. What else does Klopp say and what is behind his statements?

Jürgen Klopp and the negotiations with the DFB

Klopp takes a step first. Describes the penalty shootout against Paraguay and makes it clear that if Germany had won, people wouldn’t be talking about him as a great beacon of hope. Football can be mean. “But now things are as they are. Julian has resigned and the DFB is taking care of a succession plan and in the course of these thoughts they have been thinking about, they approached me,” confirms the 59-year-old.

The negotiations with the association around DFB President Bernd Neuendorf will not be a sure-fire success. Klopp makes that clear. “There will have to be intensive discussions because the problems we are currently having are of course not linked to Julian Nagelsmann’s personality,” he says.

That means: Klopp demands maximum influence and creative freedom. He doesn’t want to get caught in the wheels of the association. Jürgen Klinsmann called this his “carte blanche” in 2004, when he was chosen as savior. As a national coach you need the power to change things according to your will. Klopp doesn’t want to put his good reputation at risk.

Jürgen Klopp and the negotiations with Red Bull

Klopp is negotiating on two fronts. He also has to get rid of his job at the drinks giant Red Bull, which runs until 2029. In a way that saves face for all sides. There was already contact with the boss there, Oliver Mintzlaff. “It’s difficult to anticipate conversations, but of course we’ve already discussed things in text and I’m not assuming that,” he said about possible separation problems.

Klopp says he “usually loves to keep” contracts. These statements show how much he would like to become a national coach. Mintzlaff is held morally responsible. It’s about football Germany. There will be a solution, he hints. “Because I know that German football is close to his heart and he is therefore very open to these discussions. But they still have to be held,” says Klopp.

Jürgen Klopp on the state of German football

In the interview, Johannes B. Kerner asks about the prospects for the 2028 European Championship. Always slowly, warns Klopp. “Well, I think it’s still a bit of an unlaid egg, if you will. It’s completely clear, as I just said, it’s not just the head coach’s fault, it’s definitely not,” he says. That means: laying on of hands will not be enough.

And if it doesn’t work out, it’s not his fault. Because: “German football is now of course at a turning point. We now have to fundamentally change things,” Klopp makes clear.

If you want it, you should try hard. Otherwise someone else has to take it. “Whether it ends up being me or whoever it is, that doesn’t change the fact that the changes are necessary,” says Klopp.

This is what Jürgen Klopp says about himself and his motivation

Klopp wants to clear up two things. The exhaustion he felt after the grueling years at Liverpool is gone. The batteries are charged. And the job at Red Bull is not an alibi job.

“I’ve been there for 19 months, the public may still be wondering what exactly he’s doing. But it was a very intense time,” he says. Attention: He is already speaking here in the past. It WAS a very intense time.

In any case, the World Cup has awakened a new interest in top-class football. “And of course now it’s like further training. So whatever happens next for me: I won’t be any stupider after this World Cup. I’ll have learned a lot again and that’s of course necessary,” he said.

Klopp doesn’t talk about that

One topic is left out. What matters is money. Red Bull won’t let him go for free, even if there is a gentlemen’s agreement. And the DFB cannot pay endlessly. Saying goodbye to Nagelsmann was expensive and the World Cup was a loss worth millions. This is another reason why the negotiations will need one thing: time.