Eight national team coaches out as Nagelsmann resigns from Germany after World Cup penalty exit
Julian Nagelsmann resigned as Germany's head coach following a penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay in the round of 16, becoming the eighth manager to leave his post at the 2026 World Cup.
Nagelsmann steps down after Paraguay defeat
Germany lost 3-4 on penalties to Paraguay after a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes in the round of 16. Four days later, Nagelsmann tendered his resignation. He had initially insisted he would not run away.
"After such a bitter disappointment, the team deserves a chance at a fresh start without burdens," he wrote in a DFB statement.
I am truly sorry that we let you down and could not give you more unforgettable football nights at this tournament.
The resignation came after a three-hour meeting at the DFB headquarters in Frankfurt with president Bernd Neuendorf, supervisory board chairman Hans-Joachim Watzke, director of sport Rudi Voeller and managing director Andreas Rettig. Nagelsmann's explanations were reportedly not convincing enough. He was offered a severance package estimated at €7 million.
Klopp the clear favourite
The DFB confirmed it would pursue talks with Juergen Klopp, who has already signalled his willingness to take over. Klopp, 59, left Liverpool in 2024 and has been head of global soccer at Red Bull since 2025. His contract runs to 2029, but a verbal agreement reportedly allows him to leave for the national team job.
Wave of coaching exits
Nagelsmann is the eighth coach to leave his position during or immediately after the tournament. Sabri Lamouchi was dismissed by Tunisia on 15 June, the day after a 5-1 loss to Sweden, and replaced by Herve Renard. Scotland's Steve Clarke resigned on 28 June after his side failed to advance from the group despite a win over Haiti. South Korea's Hong Myong-bo left after a campaign that ended with group-stage elimination, and President Lee Jae Myung ordered an investigation into the team's performance.
Czech Republic's Miroslav Koubek, 74, departed blaming a hostile media campaign after his team earned only one point from a draw with South Africa. Marcelo Bielsa's contract with Uruguay expired following a group-stage exit with just one point. Ronald Koeman stepped down as Netherlands coach after a penalty shootout loss to Morocco in the round of 16.
Reaction to Germany's exit
Former Germany international Lukas Podolski, a 2014 World Cup winner, told TVP Sport that the team lacked collective fight and grit.
Germany must fight to the end, because history, the team demands it from everyone. This was a little drama.
