Klopp confirms Germany talks as Real Madrid move to keep Tchouameni from Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp has publicly confirmed he is in talks with the German Football Association about becoming the next Germany head coach, while Real Madrid look set to block a long-pursued Liverpool transfer target by keeping Aurelien Tchouameni at the club this summer.

Klopp, who currently serves as Red Bull’s global head of soccer, broke his silence on his international ambitions after Julian Nagelsmann stepped down following Germany’s penalty shootout exit to Paraguay at the World Cup on Monday. Speaking to German broadcaster Magenta, Klopp acknowledged the talks are already under way and said he expects his employer to allow him to pursue the role.

“Yes, I can confirm the talks,” Klopp told Magenta. “Things moved pretty quickly. Julian stepped down. The DFB are looking for a successor. And they’re talking to me.”

Klopp was careful to acknowledge his contractual obligations to Red Bull, noting he has been in the role for 19 months and has consistently spoken positively about the position. He indicated that discussions with Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff are still needed before anything can be formalised, but expressed confidence that his employer would not stand in his way.

“I have an existing contract with Red Bull. I’ve said many times how much I enjoy this job. As a person, I usually honour contracts,” he said. “But I’ve also made it clear that I’m interested in talks with the DFB. I assume he won’t stand in the way.”

Klopp also used the opportunity to defend Nagelsmann’s record, insisting the problems facing German football extend beyond the departed coach. “Julian is an exceptional coach, and he will be able to prove that time and again throughout his coaching career,” he added.

Meanwhile, Liverpool’s summer transfer business has suffered a further setback with news that Tchouameni is expected to remain at Real Madrid. The combative French midfielder has been linked with a move to Anfield as far back as 2022, when Klopp was still in charge at Liverpool. Despite renewed speculation this window, Madrid appear to have decided the 25-year-old is not for sale.

It adds to a difficult few weeks for Liverpool’s recruitment under Andoni Iraola. The club did move swiftly to sign Spanish winger Victor Munoz from Osasuna and confirmed the arrival of French defender Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes in a deal worth around £60m, but the decision of Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande to join Paris Saint-Germain instead of Liverpool has disrupted their incomings planning considerably.