Klopp to be named Germany head coach; ex-Dortmund midfielder Sven Bender joins staff

Now the path is finally clear for national coach Jürgen Klopp. According to media reports, Klopp is expected to be presented at a press conference as early as the end of the week.

The roadmap for the installation of Jürgen Klopp as national coach is taking shape. The 59-year-old could be presented as early as this week. He is already creating facts.

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After almost seven weeks as a World Cup expert for MagentaTV, Jürgen Klopp is taking a brief breather – before he wants to hit the ground running as national coach. According to information from "Bild", the presentation of the 59-year-old as Julian Nagelsmann's successor is planned for this week in Frankfurt/Main. He will likely be presented on Friday. There will also be surprises, among other things, in his coaching team.

Coaching Staff Additions

In addition to his long-time companions:

• Peter "Piet" Krawietz – already his assistant coach during Klopp's Mainz days
• Pepijn Lijnders – worked with Klopp in Liverpool

A third assistant will reportedly be added: Sven Bender, the ex-BVB professional who terminated his contract with regional league club Unterhaching at the beginning of July after two years.

The 37-year-old Bender played for BVB under Klopp for six years. Together they celebrated:

• Two championships (2011 and 2012)
• One cup victory (2012)

In Dortmund, the former midfield strategist and exemplary professional also worked as an assistant coach for Edin Terzić and Nuri Şahin.

Sven Bender was once an assistant coach for the DFB's youth national teams, then at BVB, and most recently head coach of SpVgg Unterhaching. Source: picture alliance/foto2press/Sven Leifer

Contract and Sponsorship Details

Klopp's contract as "Head of Global Soccer," which was still running until 2029, will be terminated early. Red Bull boss Oliver Mintzlaff released his most important employee in football for the most important team in Germany. As compensation, a DFB donation to the Red Bull foundation "Wings for Life" is planned.

All points have also been discussed with the other sponsors (including DVAG for Klopp and Ergo for the DFB). Take another deep breath – and then it really gets going.

Upcoming Matches

The premiere of the designated national coach can be seen by football fans on RTL. The private broadcaster will broadcast the first game of the German national team after the early World Cup exit against the Netherlands on September 24 (broadcast start 8:15 PM).

The DFB selection has four games to play during the first Bundesliga break:

| Date | Opponent | Venue | Broadcaster | |------|----------|-------|-------------| | September 24 | Netherlands | Amsterdam (Away) | RTL | | September 27 | Greece | Home | ARD | | October 1 | Serbia | Home | ZDF | | October 4 | Greece | Away | RTL |

Podolski's Criticism

Meanwhile, former world champion Lukas Podolski criticized the German national team after the World Cup failure in America with clear words.

"No one takes responsibility. You're behind – and no one pulls themselves together, no one helps the other. It wasn't a unit at the World Cup in America, starting from the coach to the team."

Podolski told "Sport Bild". He misses "characters."

The DFB team was eliminated on penalties in the round of 32 as clear favorites.