Julian Nagelsmann has stepped down as Germany’s head coach after the team’s shocking World Cup exit, clearing the way for the former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp to take over.
Nagelsmann requested to be relieved of his duties on Thursday following Germany’s last-32 defeat to Paraguay on penalties in Boston on Monday. The German Football Association (DFB) granted that request and immediately terminated his contract, which had been extended to the 2028 European Championship.
“Julian Nagelsmann quit as Germany boss after World Cup exit; DFB seeks talks with Jurgen Klopp.”
“The decision was anything but easy for me,” Nagelsmann said in a statement. “My top priority has always been the success of the team. After such a bitter disappointment, it deserves the chance of a new beginning.”
The 38-year-old former Bayern Munich boss had been in charge since September 2023, initially on a contract until after Euro 2024, which was later extended. Germany reached the Euro 2024 quarter-finals as hosts, losing in extra time to eventual winners Spain, but have now failed to win a World Cup knockout game since being crowned champions in 2014. They also failed to progress beyond the group stage in 2018 and 2022.
Speaking after the Paraguay loss, Nagelsmann had insisted: “I’m not someone who runs away.” But after days of reflection, he changed course. “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,” he said.
DFB sporting director Rudi Völler 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.”
With Nagelsmann gone, the DFB immediately turned to Klopp. In a statement, the association said it “will now seek talks with Jurgen Klopp”, adding: “He has already signalled his general willingness to take on the position.” Klopp, who has been working as a pundit for German TV at the World Cup, has been out of management since leaving Liverpool at the end of the 2023-24 season. He subsequently took on the role of Red Bull’s Global Head of Soccer, but his contract includes a clause allowing him to accept the Germany job.
One player Klopp would likely work with is Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz, who had an underwhelming first season at Anfield following a £115million move from Bayer Leverkusen. Klopp has been a vocal supporter of the 23-year-old. In an interview with RTL, he said of Wirtz’s arrival: “It will be really, really great. I’m sure of it… They’ve signed an exceptional talent in Florian Wirtz.” When Wirtz struggled to adapt, Klopp told The Diary of a CEO podcast: “You all will eat your words if you use the wrong words with Florian Wirtz. He’s an incredible talent and player.”
DFB president Bernd Neuendorf thanked Nagelsmann, saying: “He is characterised by a high level of commitment and extraordinary ambition. Julian Nagelsmann is also an extremely responsible and sincere person whom we all value.” Media reports suggested Nagelsmann had been offered a severance package of €7m, roughly one year’s salary, to cut short his contract.