Germany confirm Jurgen Klopp as new head coach, Guardiola rejects Italy job
By Joel Masibo, July 24, 2026The German Football Association (DFB) has confirmed former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp as the new national team head coach, taking over the reins from Julian Nagelsmann after a dismal performance at the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the United States of America, Canada and Mexico.
Julian Nagelsmann resigned as Germany’s head coach following their shock Round of 32 exit at the 2026 FIFA World Cup to Paraguay. The German Football Association (DFB) accepted his request to terminate his contract, paving the way for Jürgen Klopp to take over the role.
In a statement on Friday, July 24, 2026, DFB said, “Welcome, Jürgen! Jürgen Klopp has been appointed as the new head coach of the Germany national team.
Joining him as assistant coaches are Peter Krawietz, Pepijn Lijnders and Sven Bender. Welcome to the DFB!” The statement read in brief.
The experienced tactician is expected to lead the 2014 world champions in the forthcoming competitions that include; the Nations League, the 2028 Euros and the 2030 FIFA World Cup that will be staged in Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
General assessment
This comes as DFB president Bernd Neuendorf confirmed on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, that the federation had begun assessing the reasons behind the team’s disappointing campaign, saying discussions had already taken place with Nagelsmann as well as senior football officials Andreas Rettig and Rudi Voller after what he described as a painful exit.
“We agree that the performance at the World Cup does not meet our standards,” Neuendorf said. He explained that the federation would spend the next few days evaluating why the squad failed to deliver on its promise and fell short of expectations.
“We cannot and do not want to simply return to business as usual after such a setback with a view to the tasks ahead,” Neuendorf said.
Germany, four-time world champions, bowed out in the round of 32 after drawing 1-1 with Paraguay before suffering a 4-3 defeat in the ensuing penalty shootout.
Nagelsmann, whose initial agreement with the DFB was to extend through UEFA Euro 2028, acknowledged after the match that discussions about his position were inevitable, while insisting he remained committed to his role.
“I am definitely not someone who runs away, but of course I know the mechanisms in football,” he said. “I have a contract and am available, but in the end, I know how football works.”
Guardiola rejects Italy job
Meanwhile, Italian Football Federation (FIGC) president Giovanni Malago earlier confirmed talks had been held with former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola over a job with the European giants.
However, on Thursday, July 23, 2026, FIGC technical director Paolo Maldini said Italy first approached their former player Carlo Ancelotti after Guardiola rejected the offer, despite Ancelotti currently still in charge of Brazil.
Ancelotti has agreed to stay in the post, and now Guardiola has informed the FIGC he intends to continue with his plan to take a break from the game.