Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp ruled out of the running to become Germany boss

Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp will not be taking over his manager of the German national team after ex-Bayern Munich head coach Hansi Flick was sacked at the weekend following a string of poor results.

Flick took charge of his country after an extraordinary run of form with the Bavarian giants, winning 70 of 86 matches in charge between November 2019 and June 2021, which led to seven trophies, including two Bundesliga titles and the 2020 Champions League.

Flick under pressure after Germans’ 2022 World Cup failure

However, he was considerably less successful as Germany manager, with the four-time FIFA World Cup winners failing to get past the group stage for the second tournament in a row in the 2022 edition in Qatar. A defeat to Japan in their opening match proved fatal, with the Asian nation and Spain progressing as the Germans packed their bags to go home.

Flick was backed by the German Soccer Association (DFB) to turn things around in time for Euro 2024, which Germany will host in June and July next year. With the thee-time European champions qualifying automatically, they are only taking part in friendly games until the tournament kicks off, but a poor run of form, even in non-competitive fixtures, cost Flick his job.

Japan defeat the final straw for Flick

Germany won their first post-World Cup friendly against Peru but went into Saturday’s home match against Japan on a run of three defeats and a draw in four games, which included a loss to Colombia in Gelsenkirchen. And, perhaps fittingly, the Japanese put Flick out of his misery by running out 4-1 winners on Wolfsburg, which was the final straw for the DFB.

“Unavailable” Klopp and Nagelsmann the DFB’s top targets

Former striker Rudi Völler, who coached Germany between 2000 and 2004, has been placed in caretaker charge and oversaw Tuesday’s 2-1 friendly win over France in Dortmund, with Liverpool boss Klopp and ex-Bayern manager Julian Nagelsmann the DFB’s top targets to take permanent charge.

The former, however, has ruled himself out of contention, with his agent Marc Kosicke stating the 56-year-old “has a long-term contract with Liverpool. He’s not available for the national coaching position”. Klopp joined the Reds on an initial three-year deal in October 2015 and has signed number of contract extensions over the years, with the latest running through to the summer of 2026.

Since moving to Anfield, the German has won seven different competitions, including leading the Merseysiders to their first domestic title since 1990 and a sixth Champions League/European Cup victory,.