Nagelsmann Exits Germany As Jurgen Klopp Emerges As Leading Candidate For The Head Coach Role

Julian Nagelsmann has stepped down as Germany head coach after the World Cup exit to Paraguay, with Jurgen Klopp now the leading candidate as the German Football Federation prepares formal talks about taking charge of the national team.

The DFB has confirmed Nagelsmann’s departure along with assistants Benjamin Gluck and Benjamin Hubner, and stated that Klopp has already expressed interest in succeeding Nagelsmann, raising the prospect of a major change in direction for Germany after another disappointing global tournament.

Germany’s latest World Cup campaign ended on Monday in the round of 32, as Paraguay progressed on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time, with Kai Havertz, Nick Woltemade and Jonathan Tah all failing to convert from the spot in a dramatic shoot-out.

The penalty loss to Paraguay carried historic weight for Germany, marking the first time Germany have ever lost a World Cup shoot-out after previously winning four from four, and their first shoot-out defeat at any major tournament since losing the Euro 1976 final to Czechoslovakia.

The result also counted as a major statistical upset, as Germany entered the World Cup ranked 10th by FIFA and Paraguay 41st, a 31-place gap that became the fourth-largest ranking difference for a knockout tie where the lower-ranked team advanced since the introduction of the rankings system in 1994.

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Only three knockout shocks have featured a larger rankings gap: Russia’s elimination of Spain at the 2018 World Cup, when 60 places separated the teams, and South Korea’s famous victories over Italy and Spain in 2002, where the differences were 34 and 32 places respectively.

"In recent days, following our exit, I have thought a great deal and spoken with trusted people in my personal circle and within the association. This decision has not been an easy one for me at all. My primary objective has always been the success of the team. After such a painful disappointment, the team deserves the opportunity for a true new start. I would like to thank my coaching team, the staff, and everyone within the association who supported us, and in particular the players, with whom I was able to work in such a trusting manner. A special thank you also goes to the fans. You carried us along, you believed in us, you gave us energy, even in difficult periods. It deeply saddens me that we have disappointed you and that we were unable to give you more nights of football at this World Cup. You deserved far more."

Nagelsmann leaves after guiding Germany to the quarter-finals at Euro 2024 on home soil, where Germany started strongly before losing in extra time to eventual winners Spain, a campaign that had briefly raised hopes Germany were recovering from the earlier group-stage exits at Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022.

The DFB outlined the next steps and confirmed the staff changes, stating: "Alongside head coach Julian Nagelsmann, his two assistants, Benjamin Gluck and Benjamin Hubner, will also leave their roles. The DFB extends its sincere thanks for their commitment. Regarding the appointment of a successor, the DFB leadership will now seek talks with Jurgen Klopp, who has already indicated his general willingness to take on the role."

Klopp enters discussions with a strong club record, having won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, two EFL Cups, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup during nine years with Liverpool, before resigning in 2024 and later becoming head of global football for the Red Bull Group in October 2024.

Although Klopp is under contract in that global role, reports in Germany suggest the agreement contains an exit clause that specifically allows Klopp to become Germany head coach, a provision that now takes on fresh importance as the DFB weighs experience, public expectations and the need for a reset after repeated World Cup setbacks.