Klopp frontrunner for Germany job as Nagelsmann quits after 2026 World Cup exit
Synopsis
Germany's unbeaten World Cup penalty record — a source of national pride for over four decades — ended in a last-32 shootout loss to Paraguay in Boston. Nagelsmann is out, and Klopp, who publicly ruled himself out just 72 hours ago, is now reportedly ready to take the job. The turnaround is as dramatic as the exit itself.
Key Takeaways
Julian Nagelsmann resigned as Germany head coach on 3 July following a last-32 exit at the 2026 FIFA World Cup .
Germany were eliminated by Paraguay in a penalty shootout on Monday in Boston .
The defeat ended Germany's perfect World Cup penalty shootout record — they had won all four previous shootouts at the tournament.
Jurgen Klopp , currently Red Bull's global director of sport, is reportedly 'fundamentally willing' to take the Germany role.
Klopp had publicly ruled himself out of contention just three days before Nagelsmann's resignation.
DFB President Bernd Neuendorf thanked Nagelsmann for his 'extraordinary ambition' and 'commitment'.
Julian Nagelsmann has resigned as head coach of the German national team following a chastening early exit at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with former Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp emerging as the leading candidate to replace him. Germany, four-time world champions, were eliminated in the last 32 after a penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay on Monday in Boston.
Nagelsmann's Departure
Nagelsmann had initially indicated he wished to stay on despite the early elimination, but ultimately stepped down under mounting public pressure following what many in Germany regard as yet another underwhelming World Cup showing. Bernd Neuendorf, President of the German Football Association (DFB), paid tribute to the departing coach. 'He is characterised by a high level of commitment and extraordinary ambition. Julian Nagelsmann is also an extremely responsible and sincere person whom we all value,' Neuendorf said.
Klopp's Potential Return to Coaching
Klopp, who currently serves as Red Bull's global director of sport, is reportedly 'fundamentally willing' to take on the Germany role — a striking reversal from his public stance just days earlier. Only three days before Nagelsmann's resignation, Klopp had said: 'I understand that when people talk about the national coach, my name is mentioned. But it's not the right moment to talk about it, especially not with me.' He had further stated: 'I have a job that I really enjoy, and as far as I know, it's not a part-time job. The fact is, Germany was eliminated today, and this is not the moment for me to think about Jurgen Klopp's future.' His apparent change of position has set off intense speculation in German football circles.
A Historic Penalty Record Broken
The defeat to Paraguay carries particular symbolic weight. Prior to Monday night's shootout in Boston, Germany had never lost a penalty shootout at a World Cup — winning all four they had contested. Their clinical record in spot-kicks had become a point of national pride; the only German to have missed a penalty in a World Cup shootout before this tournament was Uli Stielike, in the 1982 semifinal against France. The loss to Paraguay ends that unblemished record in the most painful of fashions.
What Happens Next
The DFB is now under pressure to move quickly on a successor, with the Klopp candidacy dominating headlines. Should Klopp accept, it would mark a return to frontline coaching after his departure from Liverpool and a significant shift from his current role at Red Bull. German football, which has struggled to recapture its 2014 World Cup-winning form, will be watching the appointment closely as a signal of the federation's ambitions for the next cycle.
Point of View
But because of what it represented: a second successive World Cup failure on home soil's doorstep, and a broken mythology. The real story, however, is Klopp's apparent U-turn. A man who said it was 'not the moment' to discuss his future just 72 hours ago is now reportedly ready to walk into the most scrutinised coaching role in European football. That shift suggests either significant behind-the-scenes persuasion or a calculated reading of the moment. Either way, the DFB needs to be careful — appointing Klopp on sentiment rather than a clear project risks repeating the same cycle of expectation and disappointment that has defined German football since 2018.
NationPress
4 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Julian Nagelsmann resign as Germany coach?
Nagelsmann resigned following Germany's elimination in the last 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, after a penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay in Boston. He initially said he wanted to continue but stepped down under sustained public pressure.
Is Jurgen Klopp going to be the next Germany manager?
Klopp is reportedly 'fundamentally willing' to take the Germany head coach role, according to reports, making him the frontrunner. This marks a reversal from his public position just three days earlier, when he said it was 'not the right moment' to discuss the job.
What was significant about Germany's penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay?
It was the first time Germany had ever lost a penalty shootout at a FIFA World Cup. They had won all four previous World Cup shootouts, with the only prior miss coming from Uli Stielike in the 1982 semifinal against France.
What is Jurgen Klopp's current role?
Klopp is currently serving as global director of sport at Red Bull, a position he took up after leaving Liverpool. He had previously stated the role was not a part-time job, making his reported willingness to take the Germany post a notable shift.
Who is the president of the German Football Association (DFB)?
Bernd Neuendorf is the President of the German Football Association (DFB). He issued a statement thanking Nagelsmann for his commitment and describing him as 'an extremely responsible and sincere person'.
