He has been tasked with restoring Germany's winning mentality after a shocking World Cup exit last month, and now Jurgen Klopp has been appointed as the country's new head coach.
Klopp, a Champions League and Premier League winner with Liverpool and a two-time Bundesliga champion with Borussia Dortmund, will lead the team through Euro 2028 and the 2030 World Cup. His first game in charge will be against the Netherlands on 24 September.
The 59-year-old has signed a four-year deal with the German Football Association (DFB) after Julian Nagelsmann's resignation following the World Cup defeat. DFB president Bernd Neuendorf hailed Klopp as "the perfect man for the national team job", citing his passion, credibility, and ability to inspire people.
Klopp has promised to bring a "new spirit of optimism" to the team, with former Germany and Bayern Munich midfielder Stefan Effenberg suggesting he could be the solution to Germany's lack of winning mentality. However, not everyone is enamoured with the new national team boss, with some fans still critical of his move to Red Bull as head of global soccer in 2024.
Critics argue that Klopp's association with Red Bull has damaged his reputation among German fans, with some calling for the DFB to reconsider its decision to hire him. The German Football Association has defended the appointment, with Neuendorf stating that Klopp "embodies the values we want to promote in German football".
Klopp will build his coaching team around former Liverpool assistants Pep Lijnders and Peter Krawietz, who he hopes will help him restore Germany to its former glory. The new manager has promised to bring a fresh approach to the team, with a focus on building a strong team culture and bonding with fans.
Klopp's appointment has sparked fierce debate in Germany, with some fans questioning the DFB's decision to hire him without considering other candidates. Former World Cup winner Bastian Schweinsteiger has suggested that Klopp may only be a "band-aid" solution, with Germany's current woes running much deeper than the dugout.
For Klopp, the rebuild will begin in September when Germany open their Nations League campaign against the Netherlands. The real test for the 59-year-old will come in two years' time, when the UK and Ireland host Euro 2028, and his Germany team may face an emotional return to the city of Liverpool.
Source: BBC Sports