DFB and Red Bull reach agreement: Path cleared for Klopp as potential national team coach

A final contractual arrangement between Klopp and Red Bull remains a prerequisite, however. The DFB did not comment on the financial conditions under which the beverage conglomerate would terminate the contract as Head of Global Soccer, which runs until 2029. Most recently, it had been said that it was not about a severance payment in the millions for Red Bull, but rather about symbolic activities with Klopp as a representative.

The DFB also made clear that a possible appointment is not yet formally in the bag. "Ein möglicher Vertrag muss final in einer gemeinsamen Sitzung von Aufsichtsrat und Gesellschafterversammlung der DFB GmbH und Co. KG beschlossen werden", the association had already made clear after the meeting between Neuendorf and Vice President Hans-Joachim Watzke with Klopp last Saturday in New York. The clarification with Mintzlaff reportedly took only one day of meetings.

Background: Klopp's contract at Red Bull

The designated national team coach would be a prominently positioned official with decades of experience. Klopp, who most recently coached FC Liverpool in club football, took on his role as Head of Global Soccer at Red Bull in January 2025. His contract there runs until the end of 2029. Both sides remain tight-lipped about the terms of an early separation.

DFB President Neuendorf spoke of an important step after the summit meeting, but pointed to the still-pending committee sessions. Vice President Watzke, who had already met with Klopp on Saturday in New York, also expressed confidence without specifying a timeline.

In German football, there is great pressure to act following the national team's disappointing performance at the ongoing World Cup. The first four international matches in the coming season will take place within ten days between September 24 and the beginning of October. By then, those responsible must provide clarity on the sporting leadership.

Bottleneck: Match deadlines and World Cup verdict

As an interim solution, national team coach Julian Nagelsmann had recently been in charge of the squad. Following the group-stage exit at the World Cup in the USA, discussions were held with him about possible successors. Klopp is considered the desired candidate by many observers, but a move had previously failed due to the contract with Red Bull.

Rival FC Bayern Munich had also followed the developments closely. In Munich, the name of a former coach had been mentioned repeatedly in recent times should the DFB committees decide differently. With a solution between Neuendorf and Mintzlaff, the matter is now likely off the table for the time being.

Voices from the Bundesliga

Alongside the personnel matter, the association faces a directional decision in player development. BVB sporting director Lars Ricken sees the Bundesliga clubs as having a particular responsibility after the once again botched World Cup. "Der Nationaltrainer ist dafür verantwortlich, dass die Spieler, die er zur Verfügung hat, das maximale Ergebnis rausholen", Ricken explained. "Für die Ausbildung der Spieler kann der DFB natürlich gewisse Leitplanken vorgeben. Aber letztendlich sind wir als Vereine dafür verantwortlich und in der Pflicht, die Spieler so auszubilden, dass sie auch bei einer Weltmeisterschaft den Unterschied machen."

Tailwind for the Klopp personnel matter is also coming from the Bundesliga. His former club Borussia Dortmund had already responded positively to the rapprochement over the weekend. Ricken described Klopp there as a "Rundum-Problemlöser-Paket" – a bon mot that quickly made the rounds on social networks.

The football association had spread the news on July 14, 2026; the public broadcaster Deutschlandfunk also reported on the same day. The response in media and fan circles was predominantly cautiously positive, although critical voices pointed to the pending committee decision.

Outstanding formalities and timetable

Should the supervisory board and shareholders' meeting approve in the coming weeks, Klopp would officially be presented as national team coach no earlier than late summer. Until the first international match on September 24, there would then be plenty of time for an induction. It remains unclear in what constellation Klopp would simultaneously relinquish his duties at Red Bull.

Red Bull itself initially did not comment on the conditions of a contract termination. Industry insiders expect the matter to be handled quietly, similar to the earlier departure of the then sporting director. Nothing official was also known about a transfer fee or a joint farewell project.

What remains to be clarified

It is also unclear what role Oliver Mintzlaff, the managing director of RB Leipzig and the manager responsible for the Klopp negotiations within the group, will play in the future. A statement from Mintzlaff on the meeting in New York was not available late in the evening (local time). Observers interpreted the swift agreement as a sign that both sides have great interest in an orderly solution.

Overall, it is becoming apparent that the DFB is arriving at a solution in the most important personnel matter after turbulent weeks. With the agreement in New York, at least the biggest hurdle on the way to Klopp has been removed – formal confirmation by the association's committees is still pending, however.