Klopp faces Neuer succession, misfiring attack and trust crisis in bid to revive Germany

Germany’s decline from serial contenders to a side searching for its identity has left Jurgen Klopp with five urgent problems to solve as he begins his tenure in charge of the national team.

Since lifting the 2014 World Cup, the Mannschaft have endured one of the toughest periods in their modern history, repeatedly faltering at major tournaments. The early exit in the last 32 of the 2026 World Cup was the latest – and most painful – chapter in a sequence of setbacks.

European Championships have offered little respite. After reaching the Euro 2008 final and two subsequent semi‐finals, Germany have slipped backwards, going out in the last 16 at Euro 2020 and then in the quarter‐finals at Euro 2024, before disappointing results continued on the global stage.

In response, the German Football Association has turned to Klopp, one of the most influential coaches of his generation, to oversee a reset aimed at restoring Germany to the top tier of international football. The long‐term targets are clear: to be serious contenders at Euro 2028 and the 2030 World Cup.

To get there, Klopp must quickly address five burning issues that go to the heart of Germany’s recent problems.

Neuer’s heir and the goalkeeping puzzle

The most pressing question surrounds the future of the goalkeeping position.

Manuel Neuer is now 40 and no longer the undisputed, ideal solution he once was, even though both Bayern Munich and Germany have continued to rely on him amid a lack of convincing alternatives.

Statistics over recent seasons point to a clear dip in the veteran’s performance levels – an unsurprising development with age – and the search for a long-term successor can no longer be postponed.

The options are far from straightforward. Marc-Andre ter Stegen remains a high-profile name, but he will be 38 by the time the 2030 World Cup comes around. Oliver Baumann is also moving into the latter stages of his career, while Alexander Nubel has yet to fully convince critics or coaches.

There are, however, emerging candidates. Bayern Munich’s 22-year-old Jonas Urbig is regarded as one of the most promising young goalkeepers in the country, while Moritz Nicolas, 28, significantly enhanced his reputation with an impressive season at Borussia Monchengladbach.

Klopp will be expected to make a clear, early decision on the direction of this position, which is likely to underpin any successful rebuild.

Unlocking Musiala and Wirtz

Two of Germany’s brightest attacking talents have not yet produced their full potential for the national side.

Florian Wirtz endured a difficult first season at senior international level, and that inconsistency was reflected on the biggest stage: he finished the 2026 World Cup with three assists but no goals.

Jamal Musiala has also struggled to recapture his best form since suffering a serious leg break at the Club World Cup more than a year ago. At the 2026 World Cup he scored only once, in the 7-1 win over Curacao.

Both are now 23, entering what should be the prime years of their careers over the next four seasons. That timeline places them at the centre of Germany’s attacking project heading towards 2030.

For Klopp, shaping a system that maximises the influence of Musiala and Wirtz – tactically and psychologically – will be essential if Germany are to regain their cutting edge.

The lingering search for a No 9

Germany’s long-standing issue at centre-forward remains unresolved.

Julian Nagelsmann handed opportunities to several strikers – including Nick Woltemade, Jonathan Burkardt and Niclas Fullkrug – but none managed to cement themselves as an undisputed first choice or prove they could lead the line over a sustained period.

Kai Havertz continues to be an option in the role, yet he has repeatedly struggled with consistency in his finishing for both club and country, and his natural position is not that of an orthodox central striker.

Finding a forward capable of scoring regularly, especially in the latter stages of major tournaments, is one of Klopp’s biggest challenges. The absence of a decisive, high‐class finisher has been a defining weakness of Germany’s recent campaigns.

Bayern, Dortmund and a fading backbone

Historically, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund have provided the core of Germany’s most successful teams, supplying a steady stream of top‐level, domestically developed players.

At the 2026 World Cup, however, that structural backbone appeared weaker. Only 10 players in the squad came from the two clubs – six from Bayern and four from Dortmund – and roughly half of those were already over 30.

The pipeline of long‐term options looks thin. Nico Schlotterbeck, Aleksandar Pavlovic, Jamal Musiala, Lennart Karl and Felix Nmecha stand out as the most notable younger names from the two clubs. Jonathan Tah and Joshua Kimmich could remain key figures if they maintain their level, while Karim Adeyemi may yet re-emerge as a major asset if he rediscovers his best form.

Germany have increasingly drawn on talent spread across Europe’s top leagues, but historically their greatest successes have coincided with a robust home-grown core from Bayern and Dortmund. Re-establishing that foundation will be important if Klopp is to build a team capable of competing over multiple tournament cycles.

Repairing the bond with fans and media

Klopp’s job extends beyond tactics and team selection. He must also help repair a damaged relationship between the national side, its supporters and the German media.

Public confidence in both the federation and the team has eroded during years of underachievement, particularly at World Cups, where early exits have left fans disillusioned.

Winning remains the fastest route to restoring faith, but Klopp’s force of personality and communication skills could prove equally valuable in shifting the mood around the Mannschaft.

German media coverage is traditionally forthright and often harsh, yet there is also a willingness to rally behind teams and coaches who deliver on the pitch. Establishing a constructive rapport with journalists could help lower the temperature, reduce external pressure and create the stable environment Germany need if they are to return to the summit of European and world football.