German press demolishes Nagelsmann after World Cup exit

German media has unleashed a torrent of criticism against national team coach Julian Nagelsmann after Germany's unexpected elimination from the World Cup in the round of 16. The local press holds Nagelsmann largely responsible for what they deem another major failure for the German squad.

Sports publication Kicker was particularly scathing, calling the defeat "a testament to incompetence for German football and for Nagelsmann" in an editorial by its editor-in-chief. The outlet further described the national team's departure as "the biggest disappointment of the tournament to date," according to EFE.

Der Spiegel ran the headline "The Foxborough Fiasco," declaring that "the German dream of winning the World Cup has vanished with the humiliation in the round of 16." The magazine contrasted captain Joshua Kimmich's acceptance of responsibility with the national coach's perceived shortcomings.

Other outlets joined the chorus of disapproval. The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung defined the elimination as "a defeat that perfectly summarizes Germany's World Cup," questioning Nagelsmann's continued tenure. The paper noted the team never truly found its footing in the tournament. Süddeutsche Zeitung spoke of "the next humiliation" for the German team, characterizing the loss, marked by three missed penalties, as "totally deserved."