Nagelsmann gesture speaks volumes as Klopp's Liverpool exit plan evolves

19 September 2023 , 17:54

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Julian Nagelsmann is tipped to become the next Germany boss (Image: Getty Images)

Julian Nagelsmann is set to sacrifice £13.8million in wages to accept the German national team job.

Hansi Flick was relieved of his duties less than 24 hours after Germany fell to a chastening 4-1 defeat against Japan on Saturday night. The former Bayern Munich coach, 58, was already under pressure after overseeing a disappointing World Cup campaign, where the Germans failed to progress past the group stage.

Rudi Voller, who managed the team from 2000 to 2004, was in the dugout for the friendly win over France last week but the German FA have been focused on identifying and recruiting a long-term successor for Flick. Nagelsmann topped the early shortlist and is set to be instilled as Flick’s successor.

A report in Bild outlines how Nagelsmann has agreed to forego his lucrative agreement with Bayern – that is still in place despite his dismissal in March – to accept a greatly reduced salary with the German FA, which would see him miss out on £13.8m through to the conclusion of Euro 2024.

Nagelsmann would be ending his Bayern contract, which was due to run through until 2026 unless he accepted a job elsewhere – but his Germany deal will run through, provisionally, until next summer. However, he may be tempted to stay on in the role through to the World Cup in 2026.

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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp remains the long-term dream candidate for the German FA but he is under contract at Anfield through to the summer of 2026. He is not attainable in the short-term for the nation, despite former Germany captain Lothar Matthaus claiming back in 2020 that Klopp was the "only person" who was wanted to replace former boss Joachim Low.

When he was asked about the prospect of coaching the national team previously, Klopp told Sky Germany : "The job of national coach is and would be a great honour - there's no question about that. The problem that stands in the way of the whole thing is my loyalty.

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Klopp may be keen to manage the Germany national team once he decides to leave Liverpool (Getty Images)

"Basically, it's an interesting job. But I don't know yet whether I'll do something completely different after I leave Liverpool. I want to keep my options open."

Nagelsmann’s stay in the Germany hotseat would be unlikely to run through to beyond 2026 – as he would be keen to return to club management – and that could give way for Klopp to, at that stage, conclude a decade-long Anfield stint to manage his nation.

Somewhat remarkably, Flick – who replaced Low in 2021 – was officially the first boss of the German national team to be sacked since the role was created in 1926. He had overseen just 12 wins in 25 matches and the side had lost four of their last five games.

Colin Millar