Julian Nagelsmann could continue as German national team coach beyond Euro 2024 if the team does well at the home tournament, German Football Federation (DFB) managing director Andreas Rettig has said.
Rettig told Focus Online in an interview published on Saturday that there has been no contact in this matter with Jürgen Klopp, who will leave Liverpool in summer.
Former Bayern Munich coach Nagelsmann succeeded Hansi Flick last autumn on a contract until the June 14-July 14 Euros, in the wake of poor results.
Rettig said the deal could be extended after the Euros, depending on how the team fares, with Scotland, Hungary and Switzerland the group stage opponents.
Rettig said that "you don't send away a successful coach" but didn't want to say which result was needed to deem the event a success for the team.
"I'm not one of those people to name placings now. The important thing is that we win hearts. That wouldn't be bad," Rettig said.
He added: "Fourth in the preliminary round at a home European Championship would certainly not be a good application letter."
Rettig named Nagelsmann work with the team, his staff and sporting director Rudi Völler "impressive" and said that "he is on fire for the national team."
Klopp's announcement that he would leave Anfield after the season automatically made him a candidate for the Germany job, but Klopp has said he will take time off, and Rettig and the DFB are respecting this.
"We respect what he and his management have said. He wants to have a break and therefore it is no issue," Rettig said. "There has been no contact. He has prescribed himself a break."
Two straight World Cup group stage exits after the 2014 title, and just three wins from 11 matches in 2023, have led to a lack of enthusiasm for the German team from fans.
Rettig expressed hope that the players can rise to the occasion and bring back the fans, and that Germany will present itself as good hosts, similar to the successful staging of the 2006 World Cup.
"I would like us to create a positive spirit again at the European Championships. We want fans from all over the world who visit us to enjoy coming to Germany and say: "I'm going there again!" That will be a big task.
"For me, showing this welcoming culture and hospitality again is the strongest social task and message we could leave."