Julian Nagelsmann has resigned as Germany men’s national team coach following the country’s humiliating early exit from the World Cup.
The German Football Association, known as the DFB, has confirmed it will now pursue talks with former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp about taking on the role.
In a statement, the DFB said it “will now seek talks with Jurgen Klopp”, adding that “he has already signaled his general willingness to take on the position.”
Germany were knocked out of the tournament on Monday after losing to Paraguay on penalties in the last 32, a crushing result for one of world football’s most decorated nations.
Nagelsmann initially indicated he intended to stay on, saying after the defeat: “I’m not someone who runs away.”
However, having taken time to reflect, the 38-year-old submitted his resignation, and the DFB immediately terminated their contractual relationship with him.
In a statement, Nagelsmann said: “I’ve done a lot of thinking in the days since our elimination and have consulted with trusted individuals both personally and within the federation.”
He added: “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.”
DFB sporting director Rudi Voller paid tribute to the departing coach, saying: “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.”
Voller continued: “Of course, we all would have liked a different outcome to the tournament and a more convincing performance from our team. But Julian is and remains an excellent coach, and I’m convinced he’ll continue on his successful path.”
Germany have not won a World Cup knockout game since they were crowned champions in 2014, failing to emerge from the group stage in 2018 and 2022 under Joachim Low and Hansi Flick respectively.
Nagelsmann had managed Germany through two major tournaments, having guided the side to the Euro 2024 quarter-finals as hosts before they were knocked out in extra time by eventual winners Spain.
DFB president Bernd Neuendorf said the federation agreed that “Germany’s performance at the World Cup did not meet our standards”, warning they “cannot and will not simply move on as if nothing has happened.”
Ex-Germany defender Arne Friedrich was blunt in his assessment on BBC Radio 5 Live, saying: “If you consider the whole tournament, the way we played, it is a deserved loss.”
Friedrich added: “Nagelsmann has to face the consequences. It is very disappointing, but that is sport. I would definitely say the journey continues without Nagelsmann.”
Former Germany midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger, speaking on BBC One, said: “It’s hard to explain how Germany got into this tournament with so many problems. It’s unacceptable.”
Klopp, who is 59, has been working as a pundit for German television throughout the World Cup, and his presence had already overshadowed Germany’s campaign before their elimination.
His comment before Germany’s opening game, saying “fortunately, Julian Nagelsmann is picking the team – still”, raised eyebrows across the football world, though he later described it as a slip of the tongue.
Klopp led Liverpool to seven major honours across nine years at Anfield, including the Premier League title in the 2019-20 season and the Champions League in 2019.
He stepped down from Liverpool in 2024 and took up a role as Red Bull’s head of global football in January 2025, but the DFB’s move suggests a return to frontline coaching is now firmly on the agenda.
According to BBC Sport German football expert Constantin Eckner, Klopp earns around £8.5m per year at Red Bull, which is £2.5m more than what Nagelsmann received as Germany coach, making this a potentially expensive appointment for the DFB.
