Voller's firm Nagelsmann backing complicates Klopp's path to Germany job

Germany sporting director Rudi Voller has publicly doubled down on his support for national team coach Julian Nagelsmann following a defeat to Ecuador at the World Cup, complicating any potential path for Jurgen Klopp to take over the role he has long been linked with.

The backing comes after Klopp, who left Liverpool at the end of last season, made remarks about Nagelsmann’s future that were widely interpreted as a nudge toward the vacancy — comments that did not appear to land well within the German Football Association (DFB). Nagelsmann himself said he did not require an apology, but the DFB’s hierarchy has moved swiftly to close down any ambiguity over their man’s position.

“I’m not sitting here because I have to protect Julian,” Voller said at a press conference. “This isn’t just something I say because I have to in my official capacity — but Julian is an absolutely top-class coach. He knows that being the national coach means that many people will have different opinions on decisions. But he’s experienced enough to handle that.”

Voller, who scored 47 goals in 90 caps for Germany and is widely regarded as a father figure to Nagelsmann within the setup, was keen to contextualise the Ecuador loss. Germany had already secured qualification for the knockout stages with wins over Ivory Coast and Curacao, and Voller pointed out that expectations had shifted dramatically from the previous two World Cups, where the side failed to exit the group stage.

“Two or three weeks ago, we all would have been perfectly happy to be top of the group after just two matchdays,” he said. “Of course, we wanted to maintain our momentum against Ecuador, but it’s only human to be a few percentage points short against an opponent for whom it’s the game of games.”

Voller had already stated earlier this month that Nagelsmann would remain in charge through Euro 2028. “The DFB is completely satisfied with how Julian is doing,” he said at the time. “Julian is a top coach. He is extremely empathetic. I know how he deals with the players. You couldn’t wish for anything better.”

For Klopp, the message from Germany’s football leadership appears clear: Nagelsmann is not going anywhere in the near term, and any ill-timed public commentary about the coaching situation has done little to endear the former Liverpool manager to those who would ultimately make the appointment.