Julian Nagelsmann is done as Germany’s head coach. The decision came down Thursday, just days after Die Mannschaft got bounced from the World Cup in the Round of 32 by Paraguay in a penalty shootout. It was Germany’s first-ever loss in a World Cup shootout, and it cost the 38-year-old his job.
Fabrizio Romano broke the news on X, posting simply: “Julian Nagelsmann and Germany, it’s OVER. He’s no longer the head coach.” The German outlet BILD first reported the decision.
Nagelsmann’s contract ran through Euro 2028. He took over the national team in 2023 after Hansi Flick was fired. His record: 23 wins, eight losses, six draws. That sounds decent on paper until you remember Germany is ranked 12th in the world and just got eliminated by Paraguay, ranked 34th.
The team actually won Group E in the preliminary round. But against Paraguay, they couldn’t finish the job. The shootout loss stung worse than a normal defeat because Germany had never lost one at a World Cup before. Ever.
According to Goal.com’s Moataz Elgammal, reporting from Sky Sports, Nagelsmann was called to a three-and-a-half-hour meeting at the German Football Association (DFB) headquarters Thursday. The room included DFB president Bernd Neuendorf, managing director Andreas Rettig, sporting director Rudi Voller, and Bundesliga president Hans-Joachim Watzke. The agenda? Nagelsmann had to explain what went so wrong.
Nobody’s really surprised he’s gone. The rumors started swirling the second Paraguay’s winning penalty hit the net Monday night at Boston Stadium. An exit that early is unacceptable for a program with Germany’s history, even if this isn’t the same German team that won the 2014 World Cup.
And now the big question: who’s next?
Jurgen Klopp has been linked to the job since earlier this week. He retired from club management in 2024 after a legendary run at Liverpool and a brief stint elsewhere. Romano reported that Klopp would be open to taking over. The German public would love it. Klopp brings energy, a track record, and the kind of personality that could reset the national team’s identity.
But nothing’s official yet. The DFB hasn’t confirmed anything. They just fired one coach and need to figure out if Klopp actually wants to come back to the sideline or if they need to look elsewhere.
For now, Germany is without a coach, without answers, and still trying to figure out how they lost to Paraguay in a shootout. That question might take longer to answer than finding Nagelsmann’s replacement.
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