Klopp rules out Germany job after World Cup penalty exit to Paraguay
Synopsis
Germany's unbeaten World Cup penalty shootout record — built over four tournaments and dating back to 1982 — ended in Boston on Monday night, as Havertz, Woltemade, and Tah all missed against Paraguay. Klopp, the most obvious replacement for Nagelsmann, has already signalled he's not available. For Germany, this is a third successive early World Cup exit and a crisis that a famous shootout record can no longer paper over.
Key Takeaways
Jurgen Klopp distanced himself from the Germany coaching role after their World Cup Round-of-32 exit on Monday night .
Germany lost a penalty shootout to Paraguay in Boston , ending their unbeaten World Cup shootout record spanning four contests.
Kai Havertz , Nick Woltemade , and Jonathan Tah all missed penalties; Mauricio converted for Paraguay to seize the advantage.
Klopp is currently Red Bull's head of global soccer and a pundit for Magenta TV , describing his current role as 'not a part-time job'.
Julian Nagelsmann has said he wants to continue as coach despite the shock defeat.
This is Germany's third consecutive early World Cup exit, following group-stage eliminations in 2018 and 2022 .
Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has effectively distanced himself from replacing Julian Nagelsmann as Germany national team coach, following the side's stunning Round-of-32 exit from the World Cup after a penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay on Monday night in Boston. The loss ended Germany's remarkable record of never having been beaten in a World Cup shootout.
What Klopp Said
Speaking in his capacity as a TV pundit for Magenta TV, Klopp was asked directly whether he would consider taking over the national team. His response was measured but pointed. 'I haven't thought about that yet. I've often been in that situation myself as a coach, where a big dream has been shattered,' he 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.'
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 Jurgen Klopp's future.' He currently serves as Red Bull's head of global soccer.
A Historic Shootout Record Shattered
Until Monday night, Germany had won all four World Cup penalty shootouts in which they had participated — a record of clinical efficiency that had become part of footballing folklore. The only blemish on that record, prior to this tournament, was Uli Stielike's miss in the 1982 semifinal against France.
That unblemished legacy unravelled on a hot, humid evening in Boston, as Kai Havertz, Nick Woltemade, and Jonathan Tah all failed to convert their spot kicks, handing Paraguay a famous victory over a side that had dominated much of the contest.
Havertz's Double Penalty Misery
The night was particularly painful for Havertz, who had already squandered a penalty during Germany's 7-1 group-stage win over Curaçao. He nonetheless stepped up to take the first kick of the shootout — a show of character — but his miss allowed Mauricio to give Paraguay an immediate advantage, one they would not relinquish.
Nagelsmann's Future and What Comes Next
Despite the exit, Nagelsmann has indicated he wishes to continue as Germany coach, though the scale of the defeat will inevitably invite scrutiny. This marks the third consecutive World Cup in which Germany has exited at an early stage, having gone out in the group phase in both 2018 and 2022. The pattern of underperformance at major tournaments will place renewed pressure on the German Football Association to chart a credible path forward, with or without a managerial change.
Point of View
In effect, an answer — and Germany's football establishment should read it clearly. The Red Bull role is not a sabbatical; it is a structural commitment, and Klopp has shown no appetite to trade it for the political minefield of managing a national team in crisis. More troubling for Germany is the pattern: three consecutive early World Cup exits now form a trend, not an aberration. Nagelsmann's desire to stay is understandable, but the German Football Association faces a harder question — whether continuity is a strategy or simply inertia dressed up as loyalty.
NationPress
1 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Jurgen Klopp ruled out becoming Germany's national team coach?
Klopp has effectively distanced himself from the role, saying it was 'not the right moment' to discuss his future and pointing to his existing commitment as Red Bull's head of global soccer. While he stopped short of a definitive refusal, his comments strongly suggest he is not a candidate.
Why did Germany exit the World Cup?
Germany lost a penalty shootout to Paraguay in the Round of 32 in Boston on Monday night, despite dominating much of the match. Kai Havertz, Nick Woltemade, and Jonathan Tah all missed their penalties, ending the game in Paraguay's favour.
What was Germany's penalty shootout record before this match?
Germany had won all four of their previous World Cup penalty shootouts and had never lost one at the tournament. The only German to have missed a penalty in a World Cup shootout prior to Monday was Uli Stielike, in the 1982 semifinal against France.
Will Julian Nagelsmann remain Germany's coach?
Nagelsmann has stated he wants to continue in the role despite the defeat, though the German Football Association's decision will likely depend on a broader review of the team's direction following a third successive early World Cup exit.
What is Jurgen Klopp's current job?
Klopp is currently serving as Red Bull's head of global soccer and was working as a TV pundit for Magenta TV during the World Cup. He has described the Red Bull role as a full-time commitment.
