Klopp ‘the right man’ to rescue Germany after World Cup turmoil – Bayern chief Heiner says

Jurgen Klopp has been hailed as the only figure capable of dragging Germany’s national team out of its worst modern crisis, as Bayern Munich president Herbert Hainer backed the former Liverpool manager to lead a radical reset after a third straight early World Cup exit.

The German FA (DFB) is expected to confirm on Friday the appointment of Klopp as the new national team coach, replacing Julian Nagelsmann, who resigned following Germany’s elimination in the round of 32 by Paraguay.

Bayern chief backs former rival

Hainer, whose club spent years locked in fierce domestic rivalry with Klopp’s Borussia Dortmund, said his compatriot was exactly what the four-time world champions needed after a sequence of failures on the biggest stage.

“I think it’s a very, very good step,” Hainer told reporters on Wednesday, in comments carried by Sky Sport. “When we look at the national team’s results in the last three World Cups, we realise it needs a strong psychological boost and a completely fresh start.”

Klopp twice denied Bayern the Bundesliga title with Dortmund in 2011 and 2012, claiming back-to-back championships at the height of a rivalry that energised German football but frustrated the Bavarian giants.

Despite those battles, Hainer was unequivocal in his support for the 59-year-old to take over the national side.

“We have a special generation of players, and Jurgen Klopp is the right man at this stage,” the Bayern president said. “He has achieved great things at every club he has coached – with Mainz, Dortmund and Liverpool.”

‘He carries everyone with him’

Hainer highlighted Klopp’s reputation for man‐management and his ability to connect emotionally with both dressing rooms and fanbases.

He praised Klopp’s knack for forging unity and shared purpose: “He always succeeds in carrying everyone with him, and I am confident he will do the same with the national team.”

The Bayern chief described Klopp as “an exceptional coach in dealing with people at all levels”, stressing his skill in persuasion and motivation.

According to Hainer, Klopp’s greatest strength lies in “his ability to convince others of his ideas, to inject enthusiasm into the team, and to bring out the best in them so they give more than 100% of their capabilities”.

Such qualities are likely to be central to the DFB’s thinking as it seeks to repair both on‐field performance and public belief in the national side after a string of disappointing tournaments.

From Liverpool exit to Germany rebuild

Klopp has not worked on the touchline since leaving Liverpool in May 2024, after transforming the Premier League club into Champions League and English title winners during a highly successful spell at Anfield.

Following his departure, he took up a role as head of global football for the Red Bull group, overseeing its worldwide football portfolio while stepping away from day-to-day coaching. At the time, he made clear he wanted a break from the pressures of management.

Despite that planned pause, the prospect of leading his country appears to have tempted him back sooner than expected. He is expected to sign a contract with the German FA running through to the 2030 World Cup.

If the appointment is confirmed as anticipated, Klopp will inherit a squad rich in talent but short on confidence and continuity after years of upheaval. The hope among senior figures such as Hainer is that his high‐energy style, emotional intensity and track record of rebuilding clubs will now underpin a similar resurgence for the national team.