Nagelsmann resigns as Germany head coach after shock World Cup exit as DFB sets sights on Klopp

Julian Nagelsmann has resigned as Germany head coach with immediate effect, the German Football Association (DFB) confirmed on Friday, bringing an end to his nearly three-year tenure just four days after the four-time world champions suffered a stunning last-32 exit at the hands of Paraguay.

The 38-year-old’s departure follows a three-hour crisis meeting at DFB headquarters in Frankfurt on Thursday, where senior officials urged him to consider a voluntary exit after he presented his explanation for the team’s premature elimination. Nagelsmann had initially insisted he would not walk away, telling reporters after the penalty shootout defeat in Boston: “I’m not someone who runs away.” However, after days of deliberation, he formally requested to be relieved of his duties. The DFB board, on the proposal of president Bernd Neuendorf, unanimously agreed to immediately terminate his contract.

Nagelsmann, who took charge in September 2023 following Hansi Flick’s dismissal, had a contract that was due to run until Euro 2028. According to German media reports, he will receive a severance package estimated at €7 million ($8 million), roughly equivalent to one year’s salary.

In a statement announcing his departure, Nagelsmann said: “I have done a lot of thinking in the days since our elimination and have consulted with trusted individuals both personally and within the federation. 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.”

He also offered a heartfelt apology to Germany’s supporters: “Special thanks also go to the fans. You carried us through, you trusted us, you gave us energy, even during difficult times. I am truly sorry and deeply saddened that we have let you down and were unable to give you any more nights of football at this World Cup. You deserved so much more.”

Nagelsmann leaves with a record of 23 wins, six draws and eight defeats from his 37 matches in charge. He guided Germany to the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 on home soil, where they were narrowly eliminated by eventual champions Spain, and also led the team to the Nations League semi-finals last year. However, Germany’s World Cup campaign unravelled despite a promising start—they thrashed newcomers Curaçao 7-1 in their opener and beat Ivory Coast 2-1, before a 2-1 defeat to Ecuador and the penalty shootout loss to Paraguay, in which Kai Havertz, Nico Foltema and Jonathan Tah all missed from the spot.

Sporting director Rudi Völler paid tribute to the outgoing coach: “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. Julian is and remains an excellent coach, and I’m convinced he’ll continue on his successful path.”

Klopp Emerges as Frontrunner

The DFB has wasted no time in identifying a successor. In its official statement, the federation confirmed it “will now seek talks with Jurgen Klopp”, adding that the former Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund manager “has already signalled his general willingness to take on the position.”

Klopp, 59, is currently head of global football for the Red Bull Group, but his contract is understood to contain a special exit clause for the Germany job. Sky Germany has reported that Klopp is ready to take over if approached.

Germany’s next competitive fixture is the start of their Nations League campaign on September 24 against the Netherlands, with Greece and Serbia also in their group. The DFB leadership will now move quickly to finalise Klopp’s appointment, with the former Champions League-winning manager long viewed as the ideal candidate to revive a nation that has now failed to win a World Cup knockout game since lifting the trophy in 2014, and has exited in the group stage in 2018 and 2022.