Jürgen Klopp confirms Germany talks as Nagelsmann resigns after World Cup penalty heartbreak

Germany's shock exit

Germany were eliminated from the 2026 World Cup in the round of 16, losing to Paraguay in a penalty shootout. Manuel Neuer saved one spot-kick, but the team still fell short, triggering a wave of reflection at the German Football Association (DFB). The match took place on 29 June, and the fallout was immediate.

Nagelsmann steps down

On Friday 3 July, four days after the defeat, Julian Nagelsmann resigned as Bundestrainer. The 38-year-old had been under pressure from the DFB after the early exit.

“The decision was anything but easy for me. My top priority was always the team's success. After such a bitter disappointment, they deserve the chance of an unburdened fresh start.”

The DFB had twice extended Nagelsmann's contract, most recently until Euro 2028, but the early World Cup failure made the departure unavoidable.

Klopp confirms talks

DFB officials immediately signalled that Jürgen Klopp is the top candidate. In a statement, the federation said it would now seek talks with Klopp, adding that he had already signalled his basic readiness. Speaking as a MagentaTV pundit in the USA, Klopp confirmed the approach.

“I'm more than recharged – I'm ready.”

But he cautioned that an agreement will take "time". First, he must settle contractual matters with his current employer, Red Bull, where he is Head of Global Soccer. Klopp said he had already spoken with his boss, Oliver Mintzlaff, and wants both sides to emerge as winners. He also expects intensive negotiations with the DFB, because the underlying problems go beyond the identity of the coach.

Financial burden

According to Focus, the coaching change will be expensive. The DFB must pay severance to Nagelsmann after the board unanimously approved the immediate termination of his contract. Klopp's salary is expected to be the highest ever for a Germany coach, and without an exit clause at Red Bull, the transfer fee could land in the mid-single-digit millions of euros. Additional costs will arise from restructuring the support staff.

Praise and reactions

Klopp praised his potential predecessor, calling Nagelsmann "an exceptional coach" who will prove it many more times. German politician Friedrich Merz thanked Nagelsmann for his work, while World Cup winner Thomas Müller called on the DFB to rethink its approach. International media jumped on the story, with Marca noting the World Cup had claimed its next victim, and the Daily Mirror running the headline "Jur the Man!".