Jürgen Klopp as new Germany head coach

Jürgen Klopp is on the verge of becoming the next head coach of the German national team after agreeing in principle to take over the role, bringing an end to his spell as Red Bull's Head of Global Soccer and closing a significant chapter for RB Leipzig and the wider Red Bull football network.

According to Fabrizio Romano, an agreement in principle has been reached between Klopp and the German Football Association (DFB). Discussions are still ongoing over the final contract details, the long-term sporting project and the terms of Klopp's departure from Red Bull, but the former Liverpool manager is now expected to lead Germany into a new cycle following their disappointing FIFA World Cup campaign.

The development follows several days of growing speculation after Julian Nagelsmann stepped down as Germany coach. Klopp quickly emerged as the DFB's preferred candidate, with talks progressing rapidly after initial contact was made.

Klopp himself recently confirmed that negotiations were taking place and acknowledged both the scale of the challenge and the attraction of the role.

"I'm more than recharged now. So I'm ready. It's a very, very attractive task, a very important task. I can't help but say that it does interest me."

His appointment would also end his tenure as the figure overseeing Red Bull's global football operations. Since taking on the position in January 2025, Klopp has worked across the company's football network, helping shape the sporting philosophy and long-term strategy of clubs including RB Leipzig, Red Bull Salzburg, New York Red Bulls, RB Bragantino and RB Omiya Ardija.

While not directly involved in Leipzig's day-to-day coaching, Klopp played an influential role in the club's broader sporting direction, particularly regarding player development, recruitment philosophy and collaboration across the Red Bull system. His departure therefore represents a significant change for the organisation at a time when Leipzig are already entering a new era under head coach Martin Demichelis.

Klopp also revealed that Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff had been supportive of the discussions with the DFB.

"I know that German football is close to his heart and he's accordingly very open to the talks. But they still need to be conducted anyway."

According to reports, Klopp's Red Bull contract contains a verbal exit clause allowing him to leave should the Germany job become available, making negotiations considerably smoother than they might otherwise have been.

Behind the scenes, Red Bull had already begun preparing for the possibility of Klopp's departure. Fabrizio Romano reports that Oliver Glasner was viewed as a leading candidate to replace him within the company's football structure. However, that option disappeared after Glasner accepted the managerial position at Nottingham Forest, forcing Red Bull to reassess its succession plans.

For Germany, Klopp represents hope as one of the most accomplished managers of his generation. After transforming Borussia Dortmund into Bundesliga champions and ending Liverpool's 30-year wait for a Premier League title, he now appears ready to take on international football for the first time in his career, in a time where Germany is desperate for a leader who can ignite change.

For RB Leipzig, the news marks the departure of one of the most influential figures in the wider Red Bull project. Although his role was strategic rather than operational, his presence carried significant weight across the network, with Leipzig often serving as its flagship sporting project.

Only the final contractual details remain before one of the biggest managerial appointments in international football becomes official.

From here, the stage only gets bigger.