Germany appoint Jurgen Klopp as head coach with Per Mertesacker to become sporting director

Germany appoint Jurgen Klopp as head coach with Per Mertesacker to become sporting director The German Football Association has confirmed a major overhaul of its football leadership after appointing Jurgen Klopp as the new men’s national team head coach and naming former Arsenal captain Per Mertesacker as its next managing director for sport. Klopp has signed a four-year contract that will see him lead Germany through to the 2030 World Cup, beginning his tenure on August 15 following Julian Nagelsmann’s resignation after the country’s World Cup exit to Paraguay. The 59-year-old was unanimously approved by the DFB’s supervisory board and general meeting after emerging as the federation’s first-choice candidate. Klopp returns to frontline coaching after spending the past 18 months in Red Bull’s global football structure following his departure from Liverpool in 2024. He will be joined by a familiar coaching staff, with long-time assistants Peter Krawietz and Pepijn Lijnders returning to work alongside him. Former Germany international Sven Bender has also been appointed as an assistant coach after previous roles with Borussia Dortmund, SpVgg Unterhaching and Germany’s youth teams. “Few things can bring us Germans together like the national team,” Klopp said after his appointment. “That is exactly what makes this role so special for me.” “We will approach it together with humility and patience as we look to build a team that fights for one another, enjoys its football and that people across our country can get fully behind.” DFB president Bernd Neuendorf described Klopp as the federation’s “clear first choice”, praising his ability to inspire players and supporters alike. Germany have also confirmed that Mertesacker will become managing director for sport from January 1, 2027, succeeding Andreas Rettig when his contract expires at the end of the year. The 2014 World Cup winner recently concluded an eight-year spell leading Arsenal’s academy before agreeing to return to his homeland. In his new position, the 41-year-old will oversee Germany’s national teams and the DFB Academy, placing him at the centre of the country’s long-term football strategy. “I’m really looking forward to this new role and the responsibility that comes with it,” Mertesacker said. “German football has enormous potential.” “Together, we want to create an environment in which players can take responsibility, grow through challenges and fulfil their potential, from grassroots level all the way through to the national teams.” Mertesacker’s work at Arsenal earned widespread recognition after helping develop a number of elite young players before handing over academy leadership earlier this year. The appointments reunite two key figures from Germany’s modern football history, with Klopp taking charge of the senior team while World Cup-winning defender Mertesacker assumes responsibility for the wider sporting structure. Germany’s new era will begin in September when Klopp oversees his first matches in charge, while Mertesacker will officially join the DFB executive team at the start of 2027 as the federation looks to build towards Euro 2028 and the 2030 World Cup.