"If My Family Is Targeted, I Will Leave"... Germany National Team Coach Klopp's Warning

Firm Stance on Privacy at Inaugural Press Conference
"This Is the Pinnacle of My Coaching Career... I Will Give Everything"

Jurgen Klopp, 59, the new head coach of the German national football team, publicly declared at his inaugural press conference that he would walk away from the team without hesitation if there were excessive media scrutiny or personal attacks targeting his family and private life.

Yonhap News Agency, citing the German Football Association, reported on July 24 (local time) that Klopp had been appointed as the new national team head coach.

The German Football Association terminated the contract with former head coach Julian Nagelsmann early after Germany was eliminated by Paraguay in the Round of 32 at the CONCACAF World Cup last month. Following negotiations with Klopp, they confirmed his appointment as the new head coach. His contract runs through the 2030 World Cup.

At the press conference, Klopp issued a strong warning: "If the media act disrespectfully and harass my family, I will simply walk away. The moment my family is targeted, I will leave."

Yonhap News Agency

He also referenced how previous German national team coaches have received harsh media criticism. Klopp stated, "Everyone knows how the media treated Julian Nagelsmann and Thomas Tuchel, yet I still accepted this position. I am doing this not for myself, but for German football. If necessary, I am prepared to step down at any time." He added, "If you think I am a terrible coach, tell me to my face. In that case, I am ready to leave immediately without asking for the remaining salary or termination penalties."

Klopp also set high standards for his players. He emphasized, "To play for the national team, you must possess enough skill and be hungry for victory. We need players who become even stronger when they put on the German jersey."

Klopp defined this position as his final challenge. He said, "I am not thinking about any career after the national team. This is the pinnacle and the best position of my football life. I will give everything I have." He added, "I always knew how special it was to coach the German national team, but I am only truly feeling that significance now. These past few days have felt like being in a movie. I thought I would take on this role someday, and now that time has come."

Klopp's debut match as Germany's head coach is scheduled to be an away group stage match against the Netherlands in the UEFA Nations League on September 24.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.