Klopp has already been told he is "only person" Germany want amid Flick sacking

10 September 2023 , 16:06

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Jurgen Klopp has previously been linked with the German national team (Image: Michael Regan/The FA)

Jurgen Klopp has already been told that he is the "only person" Germany want to take on the manager role in the future, with the position now vacant.

Hansi Flick was relieved of his duties less than 24 hours after the German national team fell to a chastening 4-1 defeat against Japan on Saturday night. The former Bayern Munich coach, 57, was already under pressure after overseeing a disappointing World Cup campaign, where the Germans failed to progress past the group stage.

Rudi Voller is set to take the reins against France on Tuesday, but the focus will soon turn to appointing Flick's successor ahead of next summer's European Championships, which are being held in Germany.

In the wake of Flick's dismissal, which was confirmed in a statement by the German FA, all eyes will be on Klopp, who has been heavily linked with the national team role before.

Former Germany captain Lothar Matthaus even claimed back in 2020 that Klopp was the "only person" who was wanted to replace former boss Joachim Low, who was eventually succeeded by Flick.

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Matthaus told Sky Sport Germany : "When you talk about possible candidates, there is only one person that everyone would want in the future, and that is Jurgen Klopp. He is extremely successful, personable and equally popular with fans and the media."

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Hansi Flick was sacked by the German FA following a 4-1 defeat against Japan (Ronald Wittek/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Whilst Klopp has previously admitted that managing his country would be a "great honour", he has also made it clear that he would not be willing to break his Liverpool contract to do so. He is currently contracted to Anfield until 2026 after signing an extended deal last April.

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.

"I can't just leave Liverpool now and say I'll take over Germany for a short time. That doesn't work and the request isn't even there. If I'm supposed to do that at some point, then I have to be available and I'm not currently. I have a responsibility towards the club.

"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."

Dan Marsh