Oliver Baumann criticizes Julian Nagelsmann over World Cup demotion after Klopp squad omission

Squad selection under Klopp

Germany head coach Jürgen Klopp left TSG Hoffenheim captain Oliver Baumann out of his initial squad announcement on 17 September 2026. The 59-year-old coach selected an expanded roster of 44 players for four upcoming Nations League matches, selecting five goalkeepers while omitting the 36-year-old Baumann. Klopp chose 34-year-old Marc-André ter Stegen as his primary experienced goalkeeper, backed by Alexander Nübel (29), Finn Dahmen (28), Noah Atubolu (24), and Jonas Urbig (23). Baumann confirmed that Klopp contacted him by telephone about a week before the announcement to explain that the coaching staff planned to pursue a different direction. Hoffenheim winger Bambasé Conté received his first senior call-up in the same squad.

I decided on Marc-André ter Stegen in this experienced position. And after that, I wanted to have the next generation.

Reaction to summer World Cup demotion

Baumann addressed his national team status following Hoffenheim's European match in Crete, directing sharp criticism toward former head coach Julian Nagelsmann. Baumann earned all 13 of his senior caps under Nagelsmann, starting regularly in the qualifying campaign and playing in a 2:1 friendly victory against the United States in Chicago shortly before the World Cup. Nagelsmann reinstated 40-year-old Manuel Neuer just before the tournament, two years after Neuer had announced his international retirement. Neuer started all four matches during the tournament across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, culminating in a round-of-16 exit against Paraguay. Baumann remained on the bench for the entire tournament, including a 1:2 group-stage defeat against Ecuador, before Neuer retired a second time and Nagelsmann left the national team.

I have to say honestly: what happened in the summer hurt significantly more, how that played out. That was unfathomable, also not only from one direction actually.

Defeat in Crete and upcoming club fixtures

The post-match comments followed Hoffenheim's 0:2 defeat against Greek cup winners OFI Crete in their Europa League league-phase opener, where the German side trailed 0:1 at halftime. Hoffenheim head coach Christian Ilzer noted that the team lacked efficiency and called the result a disappointing start to European competition. Baumann accepted Klopp's decision despite his frustration, contrasting Klopp's transparent communication with his experience under Nagelsmann in May 2026. Hoffenheim, currently 13th in the Bundesliga table, plays against SC Paderborn before hosting Turkish club Besiktas in Sinsheim on 15 October. That European fixture will pit Baumann directly against Besiktas goalkeeper Nübel, one of the five goalkeepers selected in Klopp's Germany squad.

The decision I have to accept. I do not like it, that is clear. They are taking a different path, that I have to accept and respect.