Julian Nagelsmann has stepped down from his role as head coach of Germany following the team’s exit from the World Cup. Reports indicate that former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is prepared to take over the national team if he is approached for the position.
Nagelsmann’s departure comes after discussions with officials from the German Football Association (DFB) on Thursday. These talks followed Germany‘s unexpected elimination in the last 32 of the World Cup after a match against Paraguay.
Nagelsmann’s tenure and World Cup exit
Nagelsmann, who is 38 years old, assumed leadership of the Germany national team in September 2023. During his time, he guided the nation to the quarter-finals of the Euro 2024 tournament, where they were defeated by Spain, who went on to win the competition.
In the recent World Cup 2026, Germany initially topped Group E based on goal difference. They secured a 7-1 victory against Curacao in their opening game and followed it with a 2-1 win over Ivory Coast. However, a 2-1 loss to Ecuador preceded their knockout stage match.
The team’s journey in the tournament concluded with a loss to Paraguay on penalties, after the game ended in a 1-1 draw following extra time in Boston. This result led to widespread speculation regarding Nagelsmann’s future.
Following the team’s elimination, Nagelsmann had expressed his desire to continue in the role if the DFB wished for him to do so. He stated, “I am not someone who runs away.” He also acknowledged that changes were needed but affirmed his willingness to stay if the football association supported it.
Klopp linked as potential successor
Sky Germany has reported that Jurgen Klopp is ready to consider taking on the role of national team coach if an offer is extended to him. Klopp is currently serving as the head of global soccer for Red Bull Group. His existing contract reportedly contains a specific clause that would allow him to exit for the Germany job.
Several German media outlets, including Sky and the Munich daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung, have identified Klopp as the leading candidate to succeed Nagelsmann. The DFB president, Bernd Neuendorf, had previously announced an immediate investigation into the team’s performance at the World Cup.
Reports from Bild indicated that Nagelsmann was offered a severance package of approximately €7 million during a three-hour meeting. His contract, which was last renewed in January 2025, was set to run until 2028.
The DFB had been expected to make a decision on Nagelsmann’s future by the beginning of the following week at the latest, according to AFP sports subsidiary SID.
Reflecting on Germany’s World Cup performance
Germany‘s performance in the World Cup 2026 has been a subject of considerable discussion. Despite topping their group, their exit in the last 32 was unexpected for a team that had previously been World Cup winners in 2014.
Nagelsmann’s tenure saw the team achieve a nine-game win streak leading into the World Cup group stage, and they showed promise in their opening match against Curacao. However, the team ultimately faltered in the knockout stages, a pattern that had been noted in previous tournaments.
The DFB’s decision to replace Nagelsmann comes after two years of multiple opportunities for the team to improve their performance in major competitions. The official confirmation of Nagelsmann’s resignation is still awaited from the DFB.
The discussions surrounding Nagelsmann’s departure and the potential appointment of Jurgen Klopp highlight a significant moment for German football as the national team looks to address its recent tournament performances.
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Source: skysports.com
