Jürgen Klopp frontrunner for Germany job after Nagelsmann quits World Cup 2026
Synopsis
Germany's penalty-shootout invincibility at World Cups — intact since 1982 — ended in Boston against Paraguay, costing Julian Nagelsmann his job. Now Jürgen Klopp, who publicly ruled himself out just three days ago, is reportedly willing to take over. It is a dramatic reversal that could define the next era of German football.
Key Takeaways
Julian Nagelsmann resigned as Germany head coach following a last-32 penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup .
DFB President Bernd Neuendorf thanked Nagelsmann, calling him “an extremely responsible and sincere person.” Jürgen Klopp , currently Red Bull 's global director of sport, is reportedly “fundamentally willing” to take the role — reversing his public stance from just days earlier.
Germany's defeat ended a World Cup penalty shootout unbeaten record stretching back to 1982 , when Uli Stielike was the only German to miss.
This is the third consecutive World Cup in which Germany has failed to reach the quarterfinals ( 2018 , 2022 , 2026 ).
Julian Nagelsmann has resigned as head coach of the German national team following a chastening early exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with former Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund manager Jürgen Klopp emerging as the frontrunner to succeed him. Germany's campaign ended in the last 32 with a penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay in Boston on Monday, marking another bitter World Cup chapter for the four-time champions.
Nagelsmann Steps Down Under Public Pressure
Nagelsmann had initially indicated a desire to remain in the role after the elimination, but ultimately bowed to mounting public pressure. Bernd Neuendorf, President of the German Football Association (DFB), paid tribute to the departing coach, stating he “expressly” thanked Nagelsmann for his service. “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 Reverses Course, Reportedly Open to Role
Attention has quickly turned to Jürgen Klopp, currently serving as Red Bull's global director of sport, who is now reportedly “fundamentally willing” to take on the Germany job. The shift is notable given that Klopp had publicly distanced himself from the speculation just days earlier. “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 said. Only three days before the Paraguay defeat, Klopp added: “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 Jürgen Klopp's future.”
Historic Penalty Record Falls
Germany's shootout loss to Paraguay carries particular historical weight. Prior to Monday's defeat in Boston, the DFB side had never lost a penalty shootout at a World Cup, winning all four previous shootouts with clinical precision. The only German player to have missed a penalty in a World Cup shootout before this occasion was Uli Stielike, in the 1982 semifinal against France. That unblemished record, spanning over four decades, ended against Paraguay in the last 32.
Context: Germany's Recurring World Cup Struggles
The 2026 exit continues a troubling pattern for German football. The four-time world champions crashed out in the group stage of the 2018 World Cup in Russia and failed to advance beyond the last 16 in 2022 in Qatar. A round-of-32 exit in 2026 — at a tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico — deepens the crisis of confidence around the national programme. Notably, this is the third consecutive World Cup in which Germany has failed to reach the quarterfinals.
What Happens Next
The DFB is expected to move swiftly on a successor appointment, with Klopp's reported willingness to engage making him the most prominent candidate in the frame. Whether he can be persuaded to leave his current role at Red Bull — and how quickly a deal could be structured — remains to be seen. German football's next chapter hinges on the decision.
Point of View
But his current remit at Red Bull is global and strategic, not tactical. Whether he can transition back to daily coaching and whether the DFB can offer him the autonomy he would demand are the real questions. A big name is not the same as a workable plan.
NationPress
3 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Julian Nagelsmann resign as Germany coach?
Nagelsmann resigned following Germany's elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the last 32, after a penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay in Boston. Despite initially expressing a desire to continue, he stepped down under significant public pressure.
Is Jürgen Klopp going to be Germany's next coach?
Klopp is reportedly 'fundamentally willing' to take the role, according to reports, making him the frontrunner. This marks a sharp reversal from his public statements just days earlier, when he said it was 'not the right moment' to discuss his future.
What was significant about Germany losing a penalty shootout at the World Cup?
Germany had never lost a penalty shootout at a World Cup before Monday's defeat to Paraguay. They had won all four previous World Cup shootouts, and the only German to have missed a penalty in such a shootout was Uli Stielike in the 1982 semifinal against France.
What is Jürgen Klopp's current job?
Klopp is currently serving as global director of sport at Red Bull, a strategic leadership role he took up after leaving Liverpool FC. He would need to leave that position to take on the Germany national team coaching role.
How has Germany performed at recent World Cups?
Germany's 2026 last-32 exit is their third consecutive World Cup failure to reach the quarterfinals. They crashed out in the group stage in Russia in 2018 and in the last 16 in Qatar in 2022, representing a prolonged decline for the four-time world champions.
