Klopp finally admits: ‘I’m ready’

Many had hoped to see him back on the touchline of a top European club, but that now appears to be off the table. Just after it was announced that Julian Nagelsmann had resigned, Jurgen Klopp openly admitted that he is highly interested in becoming the next Germany head coach. Judging by the way he spoke, it seems only a matter of time before the German Football Association (DFB) officially confirms the appointment. Out of respect for his younger colleague, Klopp had spent the past few days insisting that he was "already employed" and "happy and fulfilled" in his current role with Red Bull. However, once the DFB managed to convince Nagelsmann to step down voluntarily, Klopp's stance changed.

Life comes fast at Julian: on Tuesday he wanted to stay, on Friday - he's gone!

There is now virtually no doubt that Klopp is set to take charge of Die Mannschaft. According to Bild journalist Christian Falk, he would become the most powerful national team coach in German football history, with unprecedented authority over sporting matters. To make that possible, the DFB would reportedly have to restructure parts of the organization and even amend sections of its statutes. Those expanded powers were said to be one of Klopp's key conditions for accepting the role.

"I can say that I'm full of energy. What does that mean? It means I'm ready. An extremely attractive challenge lies ahead of me. I can't say that it doesn't interest me. Things are moving very quickly. Julian has resigned, and the DFB are looking for a successor. Yes, we're discussing many topics. The problems facing German football are enormous and go far beyond the head coach's position. Nagelsmann alone is not responsible for what has happened. As for me, I still need to speak with my employers at Red Bull. But I'm convinced there won't be any problems because Oliver Mintzlaff is someone who truly cares about German football" said the former Mainz, Borussia Dortmund, and Liverpool manager.

Midnight bomb! Klopp ready to take charge of Germany after all

Klopp concluded by stressing the scale of the task ahead:

"German football is at a crossroads. Fundamental changes are needed. Whether I'm the one to carry them out or someone else is less important. What matters is that those changes happen."

Klopp’s subtle dig at Arsenal after Germany’s game

Several experienced internationals are expected to retire from the national team following this World Cup, including Manuel Neuer, Oliver Baumann, Pascal Gross, Antonio Rudiger, and Niclas Fullkrug. Klopp's primary mission will be to mold Germany's outstanding young talent into a cohesive team capable of restoring the nation's former glory. The next generation features players such as Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz, Aleksandar Pavlović, Paul Wanner, Nick Woltemade, Felix Nmecha, Assan Ouedraogo, Nathaniel Brown, Tom Bischof, Said El Mala, and Nicolo Tresoldi, while Joshua Kimmich and Kai Havertz are expected to provide the leadership for this new era.

WORLD CUP - KNOCKOUT STAGE

Round of 16

Saturday

20.00: (5.10) Canada (3.40) Morocco (1.85)

Sunday

00.00: (1.20) France (7.00) Paraguay (19.0)

23.00: (1.90) Brazil (3.90) Norway (4.15)

Monday

03.00: (3.25) Mexico (3.15) England (2.45)

22.00: (3.80) Portugal (3.45) Spain (2.00)

Tuesday

03.00: (2.70) USA (3.40) Belgium (2.65)

19.00: (1.37) Argentina (4.70) Egypt (9.00)

23.00: (3.40) Switzerland (3.25) Colombia (2.30)

***odds are subject to change***