Mansion Sports – Jurgen Klopp has been given the simple challenge of being “not too bad” as he prepares to take on a new challenge as manager of the German national team.

Robert Huth told GOAL that the former Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool boss will bring “heavy metal football” to the international stage while chasing European Championship and World Cup glory.

Klopp Stepped Down as Liverpool Boss in 2024

Klopp stepped away from the pressures of management in the summer of 2024 when he ended his iconic nine-year spell at Anfield. He had delivered both the Premier League and Champions League titles to Merseyside.

After choosing to end his contract early, the enigmatic tactician joined Red Bull as their Global Head of Soccer.

He also enjoyed more time with his family, while the pressure of deciding starting lineups and handling transfer activity was lifted from his shoulders.

Called Back to the Touchline by Die Mannschaft

However, Klopp always had a desire to return, as it is difficult to forget the training ground when your entire adult life has been spent in that environment. He was linked with several prestigious positions across Europe, including Real Madrid.

Eventually, after watching Julian Nagelsmann oversee a disappointing run that ended with elimination in the round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup, Klopp was called back to the touchline by Die Mannschaft.

At the age of 59, he is ready to bring his unique management style back to the dressing room and touchline on the international stage, having signed a contract that runs until the 2030 World Cup.

What Would Success Look Like for Klopp?

When asked what Klopp would need to deliver to make the agreement worth maintaining, with Euro 2028 serving as the first target, former Germany international Huth, speaking via SportsbookReview.com, said:

“I think the appointment has already had an impact in Germany, even before Germany has played a single match, by immediately bringing everything together, which actually happened on the day he was appointed. Everyone said, ‘yes, yes, now we have the man we wanted 10 years ago.’

“Obviously, before that he was with Liverpool and Dortmund. But he has the personality, the mindset, and the knowledge of what it takes to bring a country back together.”

“And I don’t know if you saw his first press conference, I actually thought, ‘oh, where are my boots, I want to put my boots back on and start playing again!’ Not that I would be selected, but you understand what I mean? I actually watched that press conference again.

“I can only imagine being an active player and listening to that press conference because there was no nonsense. There were no clever, manufactured words. It was like, ‘listen, if you want to play for Germany, you have to run a little harder, you have to fight harder, it has to mean a little more when you wear the badge on your chest.’

“He could have easily blamed the previous managers, ‘that was bad’, which I don’t think he did. He simply said, ‘yes, we need a little more when comparing Germany with other countries that have gone further at the Euros and World Cup.’

“So, so far, he has been good at talking. The feedback from Bundesliga clubs has also been good. He has attended many matches during pre-season and club fixtures. So everything looks good on paper.

“However, I fully imagine Germany will be much better in the upcoming tournaments than they have been previously.”

“That doesn’t mean they will win it. I think they themselves even said, ‘listen, of course we will try to win it, that is the goal, but there is France, there is England, there is Brazil, there is Argentina, there are several other great football nations out there, but we will show up and of course give everything on the pitch.’

“That hasn’t happened in the German situation for the last few years. So I’m excited. Come on, Germany!

“We have been bad since 2014, so a semi-final would be good enough. But if Germany can replicate the intensity, pace, energy, and passion of Liverpool and Dortmund in any form, I’m even more excited!”

“I know it is difficult to replicate that with a national team, but if they can do it, if you can do it, that would be heavy metal football!”

Germany Schedule: Klopp's Nations League Opener

The Klopp era will begin on Thursday when they face the Netherlands in a UEFA Nations League match at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam.

His first home match will take place on Sunday when they host Greece at Augsburg's WWK Arena.

Euro 2028 qualifying will begin in March 2027, with a run to the quarter-finals at the tournament hosted on home soil in 2024 being Germany's best result in their last five appearances at major tournaments.