Jurgen Klopp agrees in

During the World Cup, Klopp has been working as a television analyst for German broadcasters.

He’s been repeatedly tipped for a return to club management—Real Madrid were strongly linked in March—claims he dismissed as “all nonsense.”

At Liverpool, he won seven major trophies, including the 2019 Champions League and the 2019–20 Premier League title.

Earlier, he guided Borussia Dortmund to two Bundesliga crowns (2008–2015) and spent seven years in charge of Mainz 05, the club where he played for nearly his entire career.

Watzke, 69, partnered closely with Klopp at Dortmund, serving as chief executive from 2005 until stepping down at his own request last year.

That relationship is seen as a key reason talks progressed quickly with one of the game’s most coveted coaches, as Germany aim to bounce back from a disappointing World Cup.

Germany exited this summer’s tournament in the last 32, losing to Paraguay on penalties, extending a run of underwhelming showings at major competitions.

After Joachim Löw led Germany to a fourth World Cup title in 2014, they failed to progress beyond the group stage in 2018 and 2022, with Hansi Flick in charge for the latter.

Julian Nagelsmann replaced Flick in September 2023 on a deal initially through Euro 2024, which Germany hosted.

They reached the quarter-finals before losing in extra time to eventual champions Spain.