World Cup
Germany's World Cup exit fuels a coaching crossroads ahead of reshuffle
Germany's heavy‑favorite status collapsed as they fell 1‑0 to Paraguay in the World Cup round of 16, prompting a national football crisis. Within hours, head coach Julian Nagelsmann announced his resignation with immediate effect, ending a contract that ran to June 2028.
The defeat marked the third early exit for Die Mannschaft in recent tournaments, following group‑stage eliminations in 2018 and 2022. The loss against Paraguay, a match in which Germany entered as clear favourites, amplified the disappointment.
Nagelsmann's tactical choices and the status he granted certain players had already sparked controversy before the tournament began. After the Paraguay match, his future was immediately called into question by critics and supporters alike.
Nagelsmann quits after Paraguay loss, Klopp in line for Germany job
Despite the criticism, Nagelsmann initially declared he would not leave his post. He received backing from DFB sporting director Rudi Völler, who publicly supported the coach. Sky Sport later reported that the DFB advised Nagelsmann to step aside. The coach accepted the recommendation and agreed to resign, even though his contract extended to June 2028. An official confirmation of the resignation is expected shortly, with German outlet cited as a source. The announcement underscores a sweeping clean‑up as Germany seeks a route back to success. In neighboring countries, speculation already points to Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp as a leading name to replace Nagelsmann. Klopp’s frequent mention in the rumors highlights the urgency of finding a high‑profile successor.