Jurgen Klopp has begun his tenure as Germany’s head coach with a firm warning to the media, saying he would walk away from the role if his family’s privacy is not respected.
The former Liverpool manager was officially unveiled on Friday after signing a four-year contract to succeed Julian Nagelsmann, who stepped down earlier this month following Germany’s surprise exit to Paraguay in the Round of 32 at the FIFA World Cup.
Speaking at his first press conference as Germany boss, the 59-year-old made it clear that protecting his family remains a non-negotiable condition of his appointment.
“If you behave badly and don’t leave my family in peace then I’ll be gone, I’ll just turn away,” Klopp said.
“I know there are other countries where national team coaches are treated even worse.
“I’m not doing this job for myself, I’m doing it for you. I’m taking this job even though I’ve seen how you’ve treated Julian Nagelsmann and Thomas Tuchel.
“I love this job but I am always ready to call it quits if need be.”
Nagelsmann and England manager Thomas Tuchel both faced intense criticism after their respective World Cup exits.
Tuchel, in particular, came under fire over his tactical decisions and substitutions following England’s 2-1 semi-final defeat to Argentina after surrendering a one-goal lead.
Klopp’s appointment had been anticipated for several weeks, with his deal set to keep him in charge through the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
Reflecting on his new role, Klopp described it as the greatest achievement of his coaching career.
“Jurgen Klopp is not going to have any ‘career’ after the national team,” he added.
“This is the pinnacle, the absolutely high point of my footballing career as coach. I will give everything I have got.”
The Germany job marks Klopp’s first return to coaching since leaving Liverpool at the end of the 2023/24 season after nearly nine years in charge, having explained at the time that he had “run out of energy.”
He said the opportunity had come at the right stage of his career and expressed excitement about taking charge of a national team for the first time.
“Over the last few days it was almost like a movie happening to myself,” he said.
“I have always surmised the job of Germany head coach is really big but now it is really dawning on me what being the national team head coach is all about.
“For many, many years it was unimaginable for me to assume this position. As the years went by, it became more or less evident that sooner or later I would be asked to do this job.
“Now I think the time is right.”
Klopp will take charge of his first match when Germany face the Netherlands in a UEFA Nations League group-stage fixture on September 24.
