Klopp? Flick? Rangnick? Who could replace Joachim Löw?
Joachim Löw will step down as head coach of the German national team in July after almost 15 years in charge. But who's next? From Jürgen Klopp to Hansi Flick to Stefan Kuntz, DW takes a look at the possible candidates.
Jürgen Klopp
In comparison to the rather reserved Löw, Jürgen Klopp would certainly represent a change of style. Klopp has won the Premier League and the Champions League with Liverpool, where his contract runs until 2024. He has distanced himself from speculation about the Germany job, but with his team currently in crisis, perhaps the 53-year-old would like a new challenge?
Hansi Flick
If continuity is what the German FA are after, then Hansi Flick is their man. The current European and world champion Bayern Munich head coach spent eight years as Löw's assistant, and played a key role in Germany's 2014 World Cup triumph. Flick is highly respected by his players, but it's unlikely that Bayern would let him leave easily - even if he wanted to.
Ralf Rangnick
The "football professor" Ralf Rangnick was the sporting brains behind RB Leipzig and is considered a tactical pioneer. His competence is beyond doubt and he is currently out of work, but as always with Rangnick, the conditions have to be right. The 62-year-old likes to work with blank slates and demands full control. Germany sporting director Oliver Bierhoff would have to take a back seat.
Stefan Kuntz
Former Bundesliga striker Stefan Kuntz (58) has been in charge of Germany's under-21s since 2016 and won the U21 Euros in 2017, to add to his senior European Championship title with Germany as a player in 1996. The option of promoting from within will certainly be on the table for the German FA, although probably only if they can't get a higher-profile candidate first.
Horst Hrubesch
Under-18s, under-19s, under-21s, Olympic team, women's team, sporting director - you name it and Horst Hrubesch has probably done it. The 69-year-old knows the German FA inside out, but he's also retired on several occasions before jumping back into action. Would the former Hamburg striker come back again if he were offered the very top job?
Christian Streich
Unconventional, oddly endearing but a master of his craft, Christian Streich is often mentioned when it comes to Joachim Löw's potential successors. The 55-year-old is the Bundesliga's longest-serving coach, having pulled the strings at Freiburg since 2012. Streich would have the skill, experience, longevity and personality for the top job - but he's just signed a contract extension with Freiburg.
Lothar Matthäus
He won the World Cup as a player, so why not as a coach? Franz Beckenbauer famously managed it, but Lothar Matthäus is a much more divisive figure. Some view him as a tactical expert, others as an overrated talking head. His punditry on Sky TV every weekend makes both opinions understandable, to be honest. But the 59-year-old has ruled himself out of the job anyway.
Silvia Neid
Nevermind a new "Bundestrainer" to replace Joachim Löw, what about a "Bundestrainerin"? Silvia Neid won the World Cup and the European Championships with Germany's women and was voted FIFA coach of the year on three occasions. The 56-year-old is currently head of scouting at the German FA, but would the bosses be brave and progressive enough to hire a female coach for the top job?