National soccer team: Völler wants to keep national coach Nagelsmann at the DFB

DFB sports director Rudi Völler would like to keep national coach Julian Nagelsmann at the German Football Association longer than until his contract ends in the summer of 2026. “We will try to convince Julian that it makes sense for him to remain national coach for a few more years. We will see that at the appropriate time,” said Völler on the TV channel Welt. “We as the DFB are of course really happy that we have Julian Nagelsmann.”

The 37-year-old Nagelsmann has been national coach for a year and his contract was extended before the 2024 European Championships at home until after the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. Due to the approaching end of the contract, there had recently been speculation as to whether Jürgen Klopp would be available as his successor. The former successful coach of Liverpool FC signed a contract with the Red Bull group from January 2025, without an exit clause, according to those responsible.

The decision lies with Nagelsmann

“Only he can decide for himself whether things will continue with Nagelsmann after the World Cup,” said Völler. The national coach is “a young guy who maybe also has ambitions to do something else.” However, like DFB President Bernd Neuendorf and Managing Director Andreas Rettig, he would be “extremely happy if things continue with Julian for many more years,” said Völler.

Klopp congratulated the former world-class player on his new job. The job as head of football for the global brand was “tailor-made” for Klopp, said Völler. “If this project manager position hadn’t existed, (Red Bull boss) Oliver Mintzlaff would have had to invent it for Jürgen Klopp.”

The signing of Klopp is an “incredible success” for Red Bull. Only he can decide whether the former Bundesliga coach “will return to coaching life again at some point,” said Völler.