The German football association is seeking talks with Jurgen Klopp after Julian Nagelsmann resigned as national team coach, four days after Germany’s humiliating last-32 exit to Paraguay on penalties. The DFB confirmed on Friday that Nagelsmann, 38, had requested to be relieved of his duties following a three-hour “secret summit” at the federation’s Frankfurt headquarters on Thursday. His contract, which ran until 2028, has been terminated, with German tabloid Bild reporting a severance package of seven million euros, roughly one year’s salary.
“I’ve done a lot of thinking in the days since our elimination and have consulted with trusted individuals both personally and within the federation,” Nagelsmann said. “The decision was anything but easy for me. My top priority has always been the team’s success. After such a bitter disappointment, they deserve the chance for a fresh start.”
“Germany begin talks with Jurgen Klopp after Julian Nagelsmann resigns following World Cup last-32 exit.”
Nagelsmann, appointed in September 2023, initially after the 2022 World Cup group-stage exit under Hansi Flick, had extended his deal to cover this year’s tournament and then Euro 2028. But Germany have now failed to win a World Cup knockout match since lifting the trophy in 2014, having also been eliminated in the group stage in 2018 under Joachim Low. The defeat to Paraguay – the four-time winners beaten on penalties in the last 32 – proved the final straw.
DFB sporting director Rudi Voller said: “After the disappointing World Cup exit for everyone, Julian’s decision deserves our respect, because he’s taking responsibility where he’d like to continue shaping things, and putting the national team as a whole above himself.”
Within hours, the DFB announced it “will now seek talks with Jurgen Klopp”, adding that the former Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund manager “has already signaled his general willingness to take on the position”. Klopp, 59, has been out of management since leaving Anfield in May 2024 and currently works as Red Bull’s head of global soccer and as a TV pundit. Sky Germany reports he has a verbal agreement with Red Bull allowing him to leave for the Germany job. After Germany’s elimination, Klopp had been scathing in his analysis for broadcaster Magenta. Now he may be the man to fix the mess.