Nagelsmann exits Germany job after World Cup loss to Paraguay
The DFB said Julian Nagelsmann agreed to leave after Germany’s last-32 defeat, with Jurgen Klopp expected to be approached.
By James Whitfield · Staff Writer
3 min read
Julian Nagelsmann has left as Germany coach after the national team’s early exit from the 2026 World Cup, the German Football Association said Friday. The decision follows Germany’s last-32 defeat to Paraguay, extending a poor run at the tournament for the four-time champions.
The DFB said Nagelsmann, 38, agreed to step down after talks with senior federation officials. He had been under contract through the 2028 European Championship.
Germany lost 4-3 on penalties to Paraguay in Foxborough, Massachusetts, four days before the announcement. The result ended Germany’s campaign in the first knockout round and was widely described as one of the major surprises of the tournament.
DFB President Bernd Neuendorf thanked Nagelsmann for his work since taking charge in September 2023. In a statement, Neuendorf said Nagelsmann had shown “a high-level of commitment and extraordinary ambition” and called him “an extremely responsible and sincere person.”
German tabloid Bild reported that Nagelsmann attended a three-hour meeting at DFB headquarters in Frankfurt on Thursday. Bild said he was offered a severance package of seven million euros, about $8m, roughly equal to one year of salary.
Germany’s World Cup slide continues
Nagelsmann said leaving the job was a difficult decision. In a statement, he said his first concern had been the team’s success and that, after the World Cup disappointment, Germany needed the chance to start again.
He also apologised to supporters. “I am sorry and hurt from the bottom of my heart that we disappointed you and couldn’t give you any more football nights at this World Cup,” Nagelsmann said.
Nagelsmann becomes only the second Germany national coach to be forced out, according to the report. His predecessor, Hansi Flick, was removed in 2023.
The Paraguay defeat continued Germany’s poor World Cup record since winning the 2014 final against Argentina in Brazil. Germany went out in the group stage at both the 2018 World Cup in Russia and the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
According to the report, Germany have not won a World Cup knockout match or kept a clean sheet at the tournament since the 1-0 victory over Argentina in the 2014 final.
Klopp in line for talks
Nagelsmann’s departure clears the way for the DFB to pursue former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. The federation said talks would begin with Klopp, who has said he is “fundamentally willing” to become Germany coach.
Klopp left Liverpool in 2024 after a spell in which the club won the Champions League and the Premier League. He previously managed Borussia Dortmund and remains a popular figure in German football.
Klopp is currently Red Bull’s global head of football, according to the report. He reportedly has a release clause that would allow him to take the Germany job, and he has been working as a television pundit in Germany during World Cup coverage.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.