Jurgen Klopp issues emphatic response to becoming Germany boss after Julian Nagelsmann

Jurgen Klopp has emphatically shut down the idea of replacing Julian Nagelsmann as the German national team head coach, despite rumours linking him with the position.

Klopp has been out of work from management since leaving Liverpool at the end of last season, but the German Football Association directly namedropped him as a potential successor to Nagelsmann in September.

Sporting director Rudi Voller admitted: "I don't know what Jurgen would like to do again. But if Julian Nagelsmann were to decide at some point that he would rather coach a top club in Europe or Germany again - of course, then there is no way around Jurgen Klopp if he wants to."

Since departing Anfield, however, Klopp has enjoyed time away from football and has played down the idea of leading his country at the 2026 World Cup.

Pledging his support to Nagelsmann, despite an underwhelming Euro 2024 campaign, Klopp said: “Everyone is hoping that Julian Nagelsmann will continue for much, much longer than 2026.

"I would be reluctant to talk about football today because there is nothing to say. Rudi Voller is a very nice guy. He was put in this situation where he has to talk about it."

Klopp was speaking after being awarded the Federal Order of Merit on German Unity Day, along with 27 other German citizens.

Nagelsmann extended his contract as German boss until after the upcoming World Cup, before their quarter-final defeat to eventual Euro 2024 winners Spain.

He enjoyed considerable success at club level with RB Leipzig but lasted less than two years at Bayern Munich after they paid a world-record fee to prise him away from their Bundesliga rivals.

The 37-year-old continues to be mentioned with roles in the Premier League, namely Manchester United, while he was also considered for a return to Bayern before Vincent Kompany was appointed.

Klopp did whet the coaching whistle in September when he returned to the Borussia Dortmund sidelines for a one-off testimonial match to honour Lukasz Piszczek and Jakub Blaszczykowski.

But while he continues to be linked with both the German and English national team jobs, the 57-year-old is happy to watch from afar at least for now as he enjoys his time away from coaching.