Rudi Völler isn't going anywhere. The German football legend will serve as DFB sporting director through to UEFA Euro 2028, seeing out the remainder of his current contract — and the news carries extra weight given who's about to become his boss on the pitch.
Jürgen Klopp has already called him. That detail matters. It signals that the incoming Bundestrainer didn't just accept Völler's presence at the top of the structure — he actively wanted it. Continuity from day one, before formal negotiations have even started.
New York, Friday — the real talks begin
Those negotiations are expected to kick off on 10 July in New York, where the DFB and Klopp will sit down together. After that, discussions around Klopp's departure from Red Bull — where he holds the title of Global Head of Soccer — are set to follow. There's still process to get through, but the direction is clear.
For Germany, this is a meaningful piece of structural stability. Völler stepped into the sporting director role during a turbulent period and helped steady the ship ahead of a home European Championship. Keeping him alongside Klopp gives the national team setup a clear chain of authority — and two figures the German public genuinely trust.
From a betting perspective, Germany's chances at Euro 2028 just got a cleaner narrative. A settled backroom, a high-profile coach locked in, and years to build rather than scramble. The early outright markets will be worth watching once Klopp's deal is formally confirmed — expect movement.
The formalities aren't done yet. But the call has been made, the intent is mutual, and Völler will be at his post until 2028. Germany's rebuild has a foundation.
