Another World Cup, another early Germany exit — and this time, a coaching change and a very big name attached to what comes next.
The exit
Julian Nagelsmann is out as Germany's manager after the team's shock elimination in the round of 32, a 4-3 penalty-shootout loss to Paraguay, ESPN reported. Nagelsmann asked to be relieved of his duties the day after the defeat, and the German Football Association's board moved to end his contract, according to Al Jazeera. The federation thanked him for his work since taking over in September 2023.
The result deepened a slump for a program used to going deep: Germany crashed out in the group stage at the last two World Cups before this year's knockout-round stumble, an unfamiliar run of failure for a country with four world titles.
Enter Klopp
The federation said it would begin discussions with Jürgen Klopp, the charismatic former Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund manager, who has said he is "fundamentally willing" to take the national-team role. There is a complication: Klopp currently serves as global head of football for Red Bull, the energy-drink company that owns a network of clubs. But he reportedly holds a release clause that could free him to take the Germany job.
Klopp, who long resisted the idea of managing a national side, would represent exactly the kind of high-profile appointment the DFB appears to want — a proven winner and unifying figure to rebuild belief around the team.
Not done yet
For now, it remains a courtship, not a contract. The federation has made its interest public and Klopp has left the door open, but no deal has been finalized, and the details — including his Red Bull situation — still have to be worked out. What is settled is the direction: Germany, stung again on the biggest stage, is looking for a reset, and it has set its sights high.
