Nagelsmann’s departure leaves the door open for former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp to take over, if he wants the job. Published On 3 Jul 20263 Jul 2026Germany 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.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of list“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. Jamal Musiala and his teammates look dejected after the match as Germany were eliminated from the World Cup [Pilar Olivares/Reuters]Germany’s poor World Cup recordNagelsmann 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.” Advertisement “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 C …
