Jurgen Klopp begged to ‘save Germany’ as Liverpool icon provides job reply after World Cup exit
Germany were knocked out of the World Cup in the Round of 32 by Paraguay on penalties, with the German media and fans calling for Liverpool great Jurgen Klopp to replace Julian Nagelsmann as head coach
Jurgen Klopp is wanted to rescue Germany after their World Cup humiliation
Legendary Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has been desperately urged to replace Julian Nagelsmann as Germany head coach after their World Cup humiliation.
The appeal comes from the German press and fans after the four-time world champions were dramatically knocked out of this summer’s tournament by Paraguay in the Round of 32. Former Bayern Munich manager Nagelsmann was left helpless as his team threw away their dreams of lifting the World Cup, with the South American side prevailing 5-4 on penalties following a 1-1 stalemate over 120 minutes.
In the wake of the defeat, German publication BILD ran a remarkable editorial begging former Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund chief Klopp to step in and save his homeland. The demands follow light-hearted comments Premier League and Champions League winner Klopp made regarding Nagelsmann’s position, for which he subsequently said sorry.
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The article states that, despite Nagelsmann’s deal lasting until 2028, the nation’s football federation can no longer tolerate a “business as usual” mentality. It declared that “Nagelsmann should go – and Jurgen Klopp should come!” Holding Nagelsmann responsible for Germany’s quarter-final elimination to Spain at Euro 2024, the piece contends he “has repeatedly done things since then that are inappropriate and unbecoming of the national coach.”
It also brands the 38-year-old as “petulant, defiant, and know-it-all”, alleging he lacks positivity and struggles to motivate his squad. The publication proceeded to criticise his rapport with players, declaring that Nagelsmann “failed on the pitch and didn’t manage to get his players into top form as a cohesive unit – which is precisely the job of a coach.”
The outlet concluded that Klopp “can mould players into a cohesive unit” and build a bond with supporters. It finishes: “He won titles in Dortmund and Liverpool that seemed unattainable. Jurgen Klopp, take over! Germany needs you now!”
Response across Germany has been savage, as anticipated. Der Spiegel says Germany “deserved their downfall” for their lacklustre displays. Nagelsmann was hammered by Focus Online, which declared he “has left behind a historic embarrassment: We Germans have never before lost a penalty shootout at a World Cup.”
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung argued: “The national coach failed at this World Cup. He grossly overestimated his team and his own abilities.” Berlin-based Welt also demanded a certain former Liverpool boss to fill the void.
They penned: “This is not just a sporting debacle, but the failure of a national coach who couldn’t deliver on his promises. It’s time for Jurgen Klopp.”
Klopp is presently the Head of Global Soccer at Red Bull and has been covering the World Cup for German television. The 59-year-old has stated he is content in his current position, but has left the door open to eventually returning to management.
Speaking to Magenta TV following Germany’s stunning elimination, the former Dortmund boss remained coy, though didn’t dismiss the possibility.
“I haven’t thought about that yet. I understand that my name is being mentioned now. But it’s not the time to talk about that,” he said, rather diplomatically.
Nagelsmann, meanwhile, has maintained he still has the appetite for the role. “I am not someone who runs away,” he said.
“This is not the first time this has happened, and there are some things about today that need to be changed. But if the DFB wants me to continue, I am going to continue.
“I know the mechanics of football. I know how the industry works. I know a lot of people will want me to leave, but I would love to continue if the DFB wants me to.”
This marks the third World Cup in succession that Germany have failed to progress beyond the knock-out stages. At Russia 2018, Germany, under Joachim Low, who had guided his country to World Cup glory in 2014, crashed out in the group phase.
In Qatar in 2022, Hansi Flick couldn’t steer Die Mannschaft past the group stage.
