Germany set to name Jürgen Klopp as new national football coach at Friday press conference

A well-telegraphed appointment

The German Football Association (DFB) has sent out an invitation to a "hybrid press conference" at 11 a.m. on Friday at the DFB-Campus in Frankfurt. The invitation does not mention the reason, but multiple German media outlets confirm that the event will be used to present Jürgen Klopp as the new Bundestrainer. The 59-year-old has been the federation's preferred candidate since Julian Nagelsmann resigned following Germany's shock penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay in the World Cup round of 32.

We are not far from announcing something. That should happen in the next few days.

Klopp made that comment while working as a TV expert for MagentaTV at the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford. The DFB leadership flew to New York to hold talks with him, and on 11 July the federation said they had reached an agreement on "essential key points".

Formal approval and contract

Before the press conference, the supervisory board and shareholders of DFB GmbH & Co. KG will convene in a digital meeting to approve the contract. Reports describe the deal as running until the 2030 World Cup. The vote is considered a formality; only isolated critical questions were raised during an initial meeting last week. President Bernd Neuendorf, his deputy Hans-Joachim Watzke, sports director Rudi Völler and press spokesperson Franziska Wülle will join Klopp on the podium.

Compensation to Red Bull

Klopp had been working for the last year and a half as head of global soccer for Red Bull, overseeing the company's network of clubs. Negotiations between the DFB and Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff resulted in a compensation package. Bild reports that the company's foundation will receive a donation of one million euros as a settlement. The DFB has not officially confirmed any contract details.

Klopp's first matches

Klopp will have about nine weeks to prepare for his debut. His tenure begins on 24 September with a Nations League fixture against the Netherlands at 20:45 in Amsterdam, broadcast by RTL. The international break then continues with matches against Greece on 27 September, against Serbia on 1 October, and away in Greece on 4 October. The autumn programme closes with away to Serbia on 13 November and a home match against the Netherlands in Berlin on 16 November.

Personnel decisions and upcoming draw

Before the first squad announcement in mid-September, Klopp must resolve key personal questions. Joshua Kimmich is expected to remain team captain. With Manuel Neuer retired, the new coach will choose between young Jonas Urbig (22) of Bayern Munich and the more experienced Oliver Baumann (36) and Marc-André ter Stegen (34). The DFB may also announce a new managing director; former World Cup winner Per Mertesacker is the favourite. On 6 December, the qualification groups for Euro 2028 will be drawn in Belfast.