Jurgen Klopp told the world Florian Wirtz was a "once-in-a-century talent" and that anyone doubting him would "eat their words." Now, after a quietly difficult first season at Liverpool, the pair look set to share a dugout — just under the German flag instead of a Premier League club.
The DFB confirmed Friday that Julian Nagelsmann has stepped down following Germany's World Cup exit — knocked out on penalties in the round of 32 by Paraguay, of all teams. Klopp, currently serving as Red Bull's Global Head of Soccer, has a clause in his contract that permits him to take the Germany job, and talks are now confirmed.
Wirtz's Liverpool year puts this in context
The timing matters. Wirtz's debut season at Anfield — a £115 million British-record signing from Bayer Leverkusen — produced seven goals and eight assists across 49 appearances. Arne Slot was sacked in May, replaced by Andoni Iraola, and Wirtz now enters 2025-26 needing to prove the price tag wasn't a miscalculation.
Klopp was Wirtz's most vocal defender throughout that difficult first year. In October he said: "You all will eat your words if you use the wrong words with Florian Wirtz. He's an incredible talent and player." He doubled down with RTL: "I don't have to worry about Florian Wirtz because his quality is so outstanding."
Whether that conviction is rewarded at club level remains Iraola's problem. But at international level, Klopp has already mapped out how he'd use Wirtz. Punditry work at the World Cup for Magenta TV gave a clear window into his thinking.
Klopp's blueprint for getting the best out of Wirtz
"If you really want Flo Wirtz to get into a rhythm... give him the ball," Klopp said during Germany's 2-1 win over Ivory Coast. "He shouldn't drop back and get the ball from his own penalty area. We have to find moments where we can use his position, because with his positioning he creates a lot of space for the players next to him."
That's not a general platitude — it's a specific tactical framework. Klopp clearly sees Wirtz as a central creator who thrives in tight spaces near goal, not a deep-lying runner. Germany's World Cup odds and attacking structure just got a significant variable added to the equation if this appointment goes through.
Nagelsmann was 38 when he resigned. Klopp is 57, unattached from club management since leaving Liverpool in 2024, and by his own admission still hungry. The DFB talks are the formality. The job looks like his if he wants it.
