Klopp Lays Down the Law: Toni Kroos as No.2 or Germany Job's Off

Jurgen Klopp isn't just waiting by the phone for his next job—he's apparently writing the job description himself. The former Liverpool boss has reportedly told the German federation that bringing in Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos as his number two is the only way he'll consider taking over as national team manager.

It's quite the power move from the 58-year-old, who's spent the last year away from the dugout after nine seasons at Anfield. He stepped down at the end of the 2023/24 campaign wanting a breather, before easing back into football at the start of 2025 as Global Head of Football for Red Bull—a role that's kept him ticking over without the relentless pressure of top-flight management.

Klopp's been coy about his future when pressed publicly. When quizzed about Real Madrid, he quipped that the Spanish giants would have to ring him first, adding he'd happily take over at Atlético Madrid too if they were offering. On the Germany job specifically, he's maintained there are "absolutely no plans" on the table at the moment, though he's acknowledged who knows what the coming years might hold.

That hasn't stopped Spanish media spinning a yarn about him replacing Julian Nagelsmann in the Germany hotseat once the summer World Cup concludes. According to the report, Klopp's sticking firm: he won't entertain the offer without Kroos as his assistant—and the German federation's apparently caught off guard by the demand.

The federation is now wrestling with the implications. Bringing Kroos into the technical setup would mean restructuring parts of their backroom operation, but there's potential upside in terms of credibility and leadership. The snag? Kroos has precious little experience working from the sidelines, which has sparked internal debate about whether it's the right call.

Klopp, meanwhile, isn't budging. He's made clear he needs control over his backroom staff, and he's convinced Kroos is essential to making any project work. It's a take-it-or-leave-it scenario from the Liverpool legend.