Nagelsmann quits as Germany coach after early World Cup 2026 exit
Nagelsmann’s departure leaves the door open for former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp to take over, if he wants the job.
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has been asked to step down after the team’s early World Cup exit, the country’s football association DFB announced on Friday, saying the 38-year-old had agreed to go following talks with senior officials.
Nagelsmann, who was under contract until the 2028 European Championship, leaves his position four days after Germany were stunned by Paraguay, losing 4-3 on penalties in one of the biggest upsets of the World Cup knockouts.
“The German Football Association expressly thanks Julian Nagelsmann for his work since September 2023,” DFB President Bernd Neuendorf said in a statement.
“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.”
German tabloid Bild reported that Nagelsmann took part in a three-hour meeting at DFB headquarters in Frankfurt on Thursday in which he was reportedly offered a seven-million-euro ($8m) severance package, approximately one year’s salary, to leave the position.
Nagelsmann becomes just the second national coach in German history to be forced to step down after predecessor Hansi Flick suffered the same fate in 2023.
“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.”
“I am sorry and hurt from the bottom of my heart that we disappointed you and couldn’t give you any more football nights at this World Cup,” Nagelsmann added, apologising to fans.
Germany’s defeat by Paraguay in Boston marked a third successive World Cup flop. The four-time World Cup winners suffered exits at the group stage at Russia 2018 and in Qatar four years ago.
They have not won a knockout match or kept a clean sheet at the tournament since the 2014 final, a 1-0 win over Argentina in Brazil.
Nagelsmann’s departure leaves the door open for former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, the federation’s preferred candidate, to take over.
The DFB said discussions would begin with Klopp, the former Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund manager, who has said he is “fundamentally willing” to take over as Germany coach.
Klopp, who left Liverpool in 2024 after a hugely successful stay during which he won the Champions League and Premier League, is currently Red Bull’s global head of football but reportedly has a release clause that would allow him to take the Germany job.
The 59-year-old remains hugely popular in Germany and has been engaged as a pundit on German TV throughout coverage of the World Cup.
Read the full story at Al Jazeera ↗
Julian Nagelsmann has departed his role as Germany coach following the team's elimination from World Cup 2026. The German Football Association announced the mutual agreement on Friday after Nagelsmann, who held the position since September 2023, participated in talks with senior officials. Germany's loss to Paraguay on penalties in the knockout stage prompted the change. According to reports, Nagelsmann received a severance package of approximately €7 million. The DFB has indicated that Jurgen Klopp, former manager of Liverpool and current global head of football for Red Bull, is their preferred successor. Klopp has stated openness to the position. Germany has now exited the last three World Cups in the early stages, having not won a knockout match since the 2014 tournament.
Read the full story at Al Jazeera ↗
Nagelsmann’s departure leaves the door open for former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp to take over, if he wants the job.
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has been asked to step down after the team’s early World Cup exit, the country’s football association DFB announced on Friday, saying the 38-year-old had agreed to go following talks with senior officials.
Nagelsmann, who was under contract until the 2028 European Championship, leaves his position four days after Germany were stunned by Paraguay, losing 4-3 on penalties in one of the biggest upsets of the World Cup knockouts.
“The German Football Association expressly thanks Julian Nagelsmann for his work since September 2023,” DFB President Bernd Neuendorf said in a statement.
“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.”
German tabloid Bild reported that Nagelsmann took part in a three-hour meeting at DFB headquarters in Frankfurt on Thursday in which he was reportedly offered a seven-million-euro ($8m) severance package, approximately one year’s salary, to leave the position.
Nagelsmann becomes just the second national coach in German history to be forced to step down after predecessor Hansi Flick suffered the same fate in 2023.
“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.”
“I am sorry and hurt from the bottom of my heart that we disappointed you and couldn’t give you any more football nights at this World Cup,” Nagelsmann added, apologising to fans.
Germany’s defeat by Paraguay in Boston marked a third successive World Cup flop. The four-time World Cup winners suffered exits at the group stage at Russia 2018 and in Qatar four years ago.
They have not won a knockout match or kept a clean sheet at the tournament since the 2014 final, a 1-0 win over Argentina in Brazil.
Nagelsmann’s departure leaves the door open for former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, the federation’s preferred candidate, to take over.
The DFB said discussions would begin with Klopp, the former Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund manager, who has said he is “fundamentally willing” to take over as Germany coach.
Klopp, who left Liverpool in 2024 after a hugely successful stay during which he won the Champions League and Premier League, is currently Red Bull’s global head of football but reportedly has a release clause that would allow him to take the Germany job.
The 59-year-old remains hugely popular in Germany and has been engaged as a pundit on German TV throughout coverage of the World Cup.
Read the full story at Al Jazeera ↗
Julian Nagelsmann stepped down as Germany coach on Friday following talks with DFB officials Germany lost 4-3 to Paraguay on penalties in the World Cup 2026 knockout stage Nagelsmann received approximately €7 million severance, roughly one year's salary Nagelsmann held the position since September 2023 under contract through the 2028 European Championship This is the second time a German national coach has been forced to step down, after Hansi Flick in 2023 Jurgen Klopp is the DFB's preferred candidate to replace Nagelsmann Klopp has indicated he is fundamentally willing to take the Germany coaching role Germany has exited the last three World Cups in early stages Germany has not won a knockout match at the World Cup since winning the 2014 final The loss represented one of the biggest upsets of the World Cup knockouts The decision to part ways was anything but easy for all involved
Read the full story at Al Jazeera ↗
- Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has stepped down following the team's 4-3 penalty loss to Paraguay in the World Cup 2026 knockout stage
- Nagelsmann was offered approximately €7 million (one year's salary) to leave his position, which he agreed to after talks with DFB officials
- Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is the federation's preferred candidate to replace him and has indicated willingness to take the role
- This marks Germany's third successive World Cup early exit and the second time a German national coach has been forced to step down