Former DFB chief reveals Klopp was lined up to become Germany coach in 2022

With Jürgen Klopp once again linked with the Germany head coach role, former DFB chief Reinhard Grindel has revealed that the former Liverpool manager could already have taken over the job in 2022.

Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images

For many years, Jürgen Klopp has consistently been linked with the job as Germany head coach.

According to multiple reports, the 58-year-old is now the leading candidate to replace Julian Nagelsmann should he be sacked following Germany’s disappointing World Cup exit.

As former German Football Association (DFB) president Reinhard Grindel now reveals, a plan was already drawn up back in 2019 for the then-Liverpool manager to succeed Joachim Löw after the World Cup in 2022.

“Klopp was aware of this because DFB representatives explained it to him in Liverpool in spring 2019,” Grindel told Münchner Merkur.

However, after Grindel stepped down from his role in April 2019, the initiative wasn't continued, and Hansi Flick ultimately took over in 2021 after Joachim Löw stepped down a year earlier than originally planned.

“Due to my resignation, these considerations were apparently not pursued further,” Grindel said.

Now, years later, Klopp could finally take over the role if Nagelsmann is dismissed, with the current Red Bull Head of Global Soccer said to be the top candidate to succeed the 38-year-old.