Jurgen Klopp threatened to quit his role as Germany manager just minutes after being unveiled as their new head coach. The former Liverpool boss was officially confirmed as Julian Nagelsmann’s replacement on Friday morning. He has signed a four-year contract, taking him through until the next World Cup in 2030.
Minutes after the announcement was made, Klopp spoke to reporters at a press conference organised by the German Football Association (DFB). It didn’t take long for the 59-year-old to ruffle some feathers by immediately threatening to tender his resignation. He said that he wouldn’t hesitate to walk away should the increased media attention impact his family.
“If you behave badly and don’t leave my family in peace then I’ll be gone, I’ll just turn away,” said Klopp.
“I know there are other countries where national team coaches are treated even worse. I love this job, but I am always ready to call it quits if need be.”
Klopp added that he wasn’t planning on taking any other jobs in football when his spell in charge of Germany eventually comes to an end.
He added: “Jurgen Klopp is not going to have any ‘career’ after the national team. This is the pinnacle, the absolutely high point of my footballing career as coach. I will give everything I have got.”
Klopp will be tasked with picking up the pieces after Germany were dumped out of the World Cup in the second round, losing on penalties to Paraguay.
It was one of the tournament’s biggest shocks and resulted in Nagelsmann stepping down after three years at the helm.
Reflecting on the task at hand, Klopp described Germany’s current state as “not good” and said he wanted to “look closely at things” in terms of making changes at all levels.
He continued: “I’m far from perfect. We’ve got a few weeks until the first international break. I think that’s enough time to get prepared.”
Quizzed on which of his predecessors he looks up to, Klopp replied: “I want to look towards the most successful Germany coaches who also developed in the most successful way.”