Julian Nagelsmann has resigned as head coach of the German national football team following the team's early exit from the World Cup, the German Football Association announced Friday. The decision comes after Germany's Round of 32 elimination by Paraguay. The association has identified former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp as a potential successor and indicated he has expressed a general willingness to consider the position.
Nagelsmann stated that his "top priority has always been the team’s success" and that "after such a bitter disappointment, they deserve the chance for a fresh start." He initially indicated he did not plan to resign but later reversed his decision. The team's departure from the tournament followed a loss decided by a penalty shootout after a tie through two overtimes. Germany had not advanced to the Round of 16 in three consecutive World Cups and had not lost a major tournament penalty shootout until the Euro 1976 final.
Klopp, who last coached Liverpool until 2024 and now holds a global head of soccer role for Red Bull, has previously commented on the possibility of coaching the national team. He told German broadcaster MagentaTV, as reported by The Athletic, that while he understood his name was being mentioned, "it’s not the moment to really talk about it." He added, "I have a job that I enjoy very much. As far as I know, it’s not a part-time job." Klopp also stated he was "not quite finished as a coach yet."
Assistant coaches Benjamin Gluck and Benjamin Hubner are also leaving the national staff. Germany's World Cup elimination marked another disappointing performance in a major tournament, continuing a trend of early exits in recent years.