Jurgen Klopp comes out of retirement after two years in return to management

Jurgen Klopp has officially returned to management, replacing Julian Nagelsmann as Germany boss.

Klopp makes his comeback to the touchline two years after departing Liverpool and suggesting that he had retired.

Getty

He has replaced Nagelsmann as manager of his country after he resigned from his post following World Cup elimination.

Germany were knocked out in the last 32 by Paraguay in one of the major shocks of the tournament.

Nagelsmann quit his job earlier this month and that then opened the door for Klopp to come in, amid instant links to the role.

In fact, Germany revealed they had originally opened talks with the former Liverpool manager in Nagelsmann’s exit statement.

They wrote: “The DFB leadership will now seek talks with Jürgen Klopp. He has already signalled his willingness to take on the position.”

And those talks have now led to the 59-year-old returning to management and taking the hot seat with his nation.

DFB president Bernd Neuendorf said on Friday: “We’ve had very intense discussions. He was our ideal solution from the start.

“And we at the DFB were unanimous in saying he was the candidate we had to talk to.

“Our talks with Jürgen only strengthened our belief that he’s the right man at the right time.”

Back in the dugout

Klopp has not taken a new job since departing Liverpool in 2024, but he’s now officially Germany boss.

AFP

He became Red Bull’s Global Head of Soccer last year, with his contract for that role having a break clause included.

That has allowed him to depart for a return to management.

The legendary ex-Premier League manager replaces Nagelsmann, who took charge of the country in 2023.

Klopp won the top-flight title and the Champions League as Liverpool boss, cementing himself in English football folklore.

He was on the touchline for 489 games as Reds manager, and now, after two years off, he’s made a comeback.

AFP

The perfect man for the job

talkSPORT’s European football expert, Andy Brassell, believes that Klopp is going to be perfect for the job.

Speaking ahead of his appointment, Brassell said: “This is the perfect time for Klopp… the German FA have had off-the-books talks with him for years.

“He’s someone who gets German football culture and someone who can unite the public behind the team.

“You’re talking about a guy who’s massively popular within the culture and even before he was Dortmund coach.”

Former international Robert Huth also told talkSPORT: “I think 99 per cent of Germany would like Klopp in the manager’s seat.

“He represents everything they need at the moment – energy, passion, relentlessness.”