Klopp had answer ready before suffering blow over his dream management job

Jurgen Klopp had already ruled out taking over the German national team before Julian Nagelsmann signed his recent contract extension.

The 57-year-old has been out of the management game since the end of last season at Liverpool – his nine-year tenure at Anfield left him with an FA Cup, Two League Cups, a Community Shield, a Champions League and a Premier League trophy title – club cabinet.

Currently serving as the global head of football for Red Bull, Klopp has made it abundantly clear that he is not looking for another coaching job at club level, suggesting his head would only be turned on the international stage. And while leading his country in the future is Klopp's dream job, he admitted last year he couldn't see the role happening any time soon.

Speaking to Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung after receiving a merit order from the Federal Republic of Germany, Klopp has effectively dismissed the idea that he would be in the running to take the helm of his home country, admitting: “Everyone hopes that Julian Nagelsmann will be doing this for much, much longer than 2026.”

And it appears Klopp's prediction was correct, with Nagelsmann signing a new deal with Die Mannschaft that will keep him in charge of the side until after Euro 2028. The 37-year-old started his managerial career at TSG Hoffenheim in 2016 before three years later taking the reins of RB Leipzig.

A two-year stint with Die Roten Bullen saw him attract the interest of Bayern Munich in 2021, with Nagelsmann having picked up a Bundesliga title and two DFL Supercups during his time at the Allianz Arena. He was appointed as a short-term replacement for Hansi Flick in September 2023, signing a contract that would see him through Euro 2024.

However, after impressing at international level, Nagelsmann signed an extension until the 2026 World Cup in April last year. Germany reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 on home soil, where they were ultimately defeated 2-1 by tournament winners Spain.

The loss came as Germany's only defeat of 2024 and Nagelsmann was rewarded with a new deal for the Nations League quarter-final with Italy in March. Nagelsmann said after signing his extension: “When I took the Germany job in September 2023, I couldn't imagine staying home beyond the European Championships.

“Our big goal was to have a successful tournament together. I couldn't even imagine at that moment how much the national team means to people in Germany – how many hearts it touches and moves. The fantastic feedback we all received shows us that we are on the right track.

“It's not over yet. We have all achieved something as fans, players and coaches that we want to continue with success. We want to win titles together.” While Klopp may have to wait a little longer if he hopes to play an international role with Germany, national team director Rudi Voller has kept the door open for him if Nagelsmann decides to step back from his own duties.

According to the Anfield Index, he said: “I don't know what Jurgen would want to do again. But if Julian Nagelsmann were to decide at some point that he would rather coach a top club in Europe or in Germany – of course, then there is no way Jurgen Klopp if he wants to.”