Bastian Schweinsteiger has expressed strong support for Jurgen Klopp to take charge of the German national football team, asserting that the former Liverpool manager could restore the optimism that has been missing within the German Football Association (DFB). Following Germany’s shocking elimination from the 2026 World Cup at the hands of Paraguay, growing pressure has mounted on current head coach Julian Nagelsmann.

Schweinsteiger expects Klopp to take over

In the aftermath of Germany’s surprising round of 32 exit, World Cup winner Schweinsteiger shared his belief that a managerial change is now inevitable. Speaking as a pundit on ARD, the former midfielder suggested that circumstances are aligning for Klopp to finally step into the national team role. “I believe that it will happen,” Schweinsteiger said when asked about Klopp’s prospects of replacing Nagelsmann. “Of course, nothing is certain yet. But I have a feeling that it will likely happen that way.”

The former Bayern Munich star emphasised the authority and energy Klopp could bring to a federation currently in crisis. “If Jurgen Klopp were to become the national coach, he would bring a strong power base with him,” Schweinsteiger added. “The DFB is already in a state of emergency, and I feel that this change is coming.”

Germany’s World Cup disaster prompts calls for change

The calls for a shake-up follow Germany’s worst-ever World Cup performance, ending in a premature exit from the 2026 tournament. Despite entering the competition as one of the favourites, Germany suffered a shocking defeat to Paraguay—a team ranked 31 places below them—and were knocked out after losing a penalty shootout 4-3, marking the first such loss in their World Cup history.

The Nagelsmann era under scrutiny

Even though Julian Nagelsmann remains under contract until 2028, his position is now under serious review by DFB officials. Schweinsteiger believes that even if Klopp is not immediately available, the federation must consider changing leadership to rejuvenate the squad ahead of Euro 2028. “After an exit like that, it’s always necessary to discuss the coach,” Schweinsteiger explained. “I believe Jurgen Klopp is a great manager who can bring a renewed sense of optimism. That would be very important as we look towards the European Championship.”

Senior DFB figures, including president Bernd Neuendorf, vice-president Hans-Joachim Watzke, and sporting director Rudi Voller, are expected to meet soon to review Germany’s World Cup failure. For many within German football, the defeat to Paraguay was the breaking point after years of underperformance on the global stage. With mounting pressure for change, Klopp has emerged as the top candidate. Reports suggest that the former Liverpool boss still dreams of managing at a World Cup, potentially aiming for the 2030 edition. However, the upcoming Euro 2028, to be hosted in the UK and Ireland, could also appeal to Klopp, who spent nearly a decade in English football.

Germany’s identity crisis

Beyond tactical shortcomings, Schweinsteiger criticised the loss of what he described as the “DNA” of German football, arguing that the team has moved away from its traditional strengths. “My former teammates tell me we’ve lost our DNA,” he said. “We made the mistake years ago of focusing only on technical football solutions. We abandoned the qualities and virtues that once made us respected abroad.”

He further noted that the current squad lacks the physical and mental toughness needed to compete internationally. “Now we no longer have the footballing solutions in games—and in terms of strength and intensity, we can’t keep up. Mexico, for example, shows more of that than we do. We made major mistakes in the past, and now we’ve been knocked out early three times in a World Cup; that’s not a coincidence.”

Klopp remains calm amid rising speculation

Despite the growing calls for his appointment, Klopp has remained composed in his public remarks while working as a pundit during the tournament. The 59-year-old, who recently accepted a senior position as head of global football at Red Bull, has not dismissed the possibility but avoided undermining Nagelsmann. “I haven’t thought about that yet,” Klopp said when asked about rumours linking him to the national team job. “I understand that when the national coach position is discussed, my name comes up. But this is not the right time to talk about it. There’s nothing to say about it right now.”