Nagelsmann steps down as Germany coach after World Cup failure

Four days after Germany's shock elimination from the World Cup in the Round of 32 at the hands of Paraguay, Julian Nagelsmann has stepped down as head coach.

According to Sky Sports, Nagelsmann held an emergency meeting with the top officials of the German Football Association (DFB) on Thursday, July 2. After lengthy discussions, he reached the final decision to leave his post.

Germany's group-stage campaign had started brilliantly. They thrashed Curacao 7-1 in their opener and beat Ivory Coast 2-1 in the second match. However, they lost 2-1 to Ecuador in the final group match, though they had already secured top spot.

But disaster struck in the knockout rounds. On Monday, Germany were held to a 1-1 draw by Paraguay before losing 4-3 in a penalty shootout. It was Germany's first-ever penalty shootout defeat in World Cup history. This marked their third consecutive World Cup failure — group-stage exits in 2018 and 2022, and a last-32 exit this time.

Nagelsmann, who took charge in September 2023, had also led Germany to a Euro 2024 quarter-final exit against Spain.

Speculation over his successor has centred on Jurgen Klopp. Sky Germany reported that the former Liverpool coach is ready to take over the national team if the DFB approaches him.