Nagelsmann Out as Germany Coach After World Cup Exit

Julian Nagelsmann is no longer the head coach of the German national football team, the German Football Association (DFB) announced Friday. This decision follows Germany's unexpected elimination from the 2026 World Cup. Nagelsmann, 38, resigned less than three years after taking the position, with his contract set to run until after the 2028 European Championship.

The DFB is reportedly in discussions with former Liverpool and Dortmund manager Jürgen Klopp for the vacant role, with indications that Klopp is open to the position. Nagelsmann's assistants, Benjamin Glück and Benjamin Hübner, have also departed.

During his 37 games in charge, Nagelsmann secured 23 wins and suffered eight losses. While some defeats were against strong opponents like Spain, Portugal, and France, two losses at the World Cup, against Ecuador and Paraguay, contributed to the team's early exit. This departure marks another challenging period in a coaching career that began with immense promise.

Nagelsmann's early career saw him make history as the youngest coach in the Bundesliga with Hoffenheim, transforming a relegation-threatened team into a competitive force. He later moved to RB Leipzig, becoming the youngest coach to win a Champions League game and reach the semifinals. Despite a German Cup final loss, his success attracted Bayern Munich, which paid a significant fee for his services. He won the Bundesliga with Bayern but faced criticism after a Champions League quarter-final loss to Villarreal.

The situation at Bayern reportedly unraveled further following his decision to dismiss goalkeeper coach Toni Tapalovic, a move that deeply affected captain Manuel Neuer. Reports suggested Nagelsmann's training methods were overly complex, contributing to a decline in his standing.

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This decision was anything but easy for me. My top priority has always been the team's success. After such a bitter disappointment, the team deserves the chance for a fresh start without any baggage... A special thank you also goes to the fans. You carried us, you trusted us, and you gave us energy, even during difficult times. I am truly sorry and deeply saddened that we let you down and were unable to give you more nights of football excitement at this World Cup. You deserved so much more!