One thing is clear — the 2026 World Cup could have major ramifications for the future of former Bayern Munich manager and current German national team head coach Julian Nagelsmann.
While the team has had some ups and downs of late, Nagelsmann might have put a target on his back with some of his comments made during an interview with Kicker. While he did not offer anything overly inflammatory, his statements might have spurred some PTSD for Bayern Munich fans, who heard some of the same statements (including
some regarding the same players) during his tenure in Bavaria.
It seems the coach could risk integrating some energy vampires on to his team — a risky gambit during any short-term tourney.
If Nagelsmann strays from his path of change and reverts back to his old ways, the DFB could opt to end his employment early and open a search ahead of the EURO 2028 competition.
As we found out on Thursday, there could be an interested party already.
Per a report from Salzburger Nachrichten (as captured by Sports Illustrated), the existing rumors that Jürgen Klopp could be contemplating an exit from Red Bull in favor of a run with the German national team could have some weight to them:
Publicly, Klopp has professed his love for a behind-the-scenes role that gives him the chance to build winning teams across the globe without the day-to-day pressures of management, but somebody with his elite coaching pedigree will always have fans begging for a return to the dugout.
Up to this point, a management comeback had appeared unlikely for Klopp, despite countless rumors and a wave of speculation, but reports have firmly sprinkled an element of doubt into his future with Red Bull.
The big update comes from Austrian outlet Salzburger Nachrichten, which boasts local ties to one of the biggest clubs in the Red Bull network: RB Salzburg.
It is claimed that “tensions” are growing between Klopp and the Red Bull board over a lack of progress for its primary clubs. RB Leipzig are facing an uphill battle to qualify for the Champions League in the Bundesliga, while Salzburg’s pursuit of a 15th league title this century was soured by a humiliating elimination from the Europa League at the first hurdle.
Obviously, Klopp’s responsibility for the on-field success of those two teams is limited, but he did play a significant role in the hiring of Ole Werner as Leipzig’s manager during the summer. With things not going to plan for the Bundesliga side, questions have been asked about Klopp’s judgment.
The report goes on to add that Klopp was kept out of the manager search for another club under the Red Bull umbrella, French outfit Paris FC.
Perceived limitations over his influence on the Red Bull clubs are said to have frustrated Klopp and, crucially, have left him wondering whether he was right to step away from management. SN state Klopp is open to heading back into the dugout and, even though he is under contract until 2029, Red Bull would not stand in his way if Klopp proposed a parting of ways this summer, such is the growing tension between the two parties behind the scenes.
The ability to have a direct impact on a team’s on-field fortunes remains appealing to Klopp, so the story goes, and the obstacles that come with navigating a web as complex as Red Bull’s global soccer operations have left him pining for days gone by.
Now, publicly, Klopp has insisted otherwise. The German has long occupied a position on the fence, claiming to be loving his current role while also admitting he cannot rule out a return to management in future, but he has long leaned towards hanging up his baseball cap and calling time on his career in the dugout.
While Klopp would be the perfect pick for the job, Hansi Flick was also the perfect pick at one point — and we all know how that worked out. The state of German football is fickle…there is major talent, but neither Joachim Löw, nor Hansi Flick, nor Nagelsmann has really been able to fully unlock the potential of the squad.
Could Klopp be the missing link to glory?
Maybe, but he would have to clear out his office at Red Bull and wait for Nagelsmann’s inevitable flame out…or maybe wild success. If the former Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig, and Hoffenheim boss somehow won a World Cup, he would instantly become the hottest coaching candidate in the world. If he does not win the World Cup…well, let’s just say that there will be a vocal contingent pining for Klopp.
Perhaps, that would be enough to convince the former Liverpool boss to take the German national team by the reins and take his run at leading the group back to the Promised Land.
Song of the Week: “Bohemian Like You” by The Dandy Warhols
Man…I had forgotten all about this song, but once I heard the sound it brought me right back to 2000. The funny part is that the sound here from The Dandy Warhols could have been dropped into 1995 and it would have fit perfectly.
The sad part is 2000 was freaking 26 years ago…kill me now. Seriously, though, this song reeks of 1995 in the best way, even though it was rleased five years later. Enjoy some “power pop” from a time where music was about to shift once again:
Entertainment Rundown
This author is STILL working through Landman season two.
Malcolm in the Middle
I had no idea that there was going to be a spinoff of Malcolm in the Middle — a truly underrated series that was creative, smart, and funny:
It is always difficult to recapture the magic of a show after so many years. I am not sure if I will give this a spin, but am considering it.
Daredevil Born Again
This will definitely be something I check out:
Predictions
Bayern Munich is banged up and beat, but damn…the Bavarians can still light up a scoreboard.
With these two teams embroiled in Champions League ties, it has to be asked if Bayer Leverkusen will put its full focus on Bayern Munich when it could look to reload for one final shot at taking down Arsenal (something that almost happened earlier this week — if not for a horrendous penalty call that benefitted Arsenal and allowed for former Leverkusen star Kai Havertz to knot the game at 1-1 late).
Even with what is expected to be a heavily rotated lineup, Bayern Munich will assert itself and take control for a convincing victory.
Prediction: Bayer Leverkusen 1-4 Bayern Munich
Other Bundesliga predictions include:
- Borussia Mönchengladbach 2-1 St. Pauli
- Hoffenheim 2-1 VfL Wolfsburg
- Borussia Dortmund 2-0 FC Augsburg
- Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 Heidenheim
- Hamburger SV 2-1 FC Köln
- SC Freiburg 2-1 Union Berlin
- VfB Stuttgart 2-2 RB Leipzig
- 2-1 Werder Bremen 2-2 Mainz 05
Prediction Records
- Total: 414-250
- Perfect Picks: 39
- Bundesliga Last Matchday: 4-5
- Bundesliga Overall: 128-97
- DFB-Pokal: 49-11
- World Cup Qualifiers/Friendlies: 99-45
- Champions League: 94-74
- Club World Cup: 39-23
- Club Friendlies: 4-0
- Franz Beckenbauer Supercup: 1-0
If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…
Join the conversation!
Sign up for a user account and get:
- New, improved notifications system!
- Fewer ads
- Create community posts
- Comment on articles, community posts
- Rec comments, community posts
