Jürgen Klopp began his tenure as Germany head coach on Friday with a stark warning to the media: he will quit without severance pay if his family's privacy is not respected. The 59-year-old replaced Julian Nagelsmann, who departed after a penalty shootout loss to Paraguay at the World Cup, and signed a four-year contract running through the 2030 World Cup.

At a 45-minute news conference, Klopp emphasized he took the role out of national pride, not necessity. "If you go after my family and don't leave them alone, I will leave," he told journalists, referencing the treatment of Nagelsmann and Thomas Tuchel. He asked for fair criticism of his work but insisted his family remain off-limits.

Klopp's release from his Red Bull global head of soccer role involved a one million euros donation to the company's charitable foundation and a commitment to play three matches in Leipzig. He pledged to be more sympathetic to club managers regarding player availability, saying he would not "fight tooth and nail" for players if clubs object.

The former Liverpool boss, who ended his nine-year Anfield stint in 2024, expressed confidence his high-intensity style will translate to international football despite limited training time. "I don't think I will be missing it too much," he said of reduced pitch sessions.