Nagelsmann quits Germany after World Cup exit as Klopp emerges as favourite to succeed him

Julian Nagelsmann has resigned as Germany head coach after the national team’s shock elimination by Paraguay on penalties at the World Cup, with Jurgen Klopp immediately emerging as the leading candidate to replace him.

Nagelsmann had been expected to continue in the role through to Euro 2028, and after Germany’s exit he appeared to leave the decision in the hands of the German FA. “I am available,” he said. “If the DFB wants it, then I will do the Euro 2028, and if not then they have to tell me. I’m not someone who runs away.”

The 37-year-old was candid about the scale of the failure. “If you are eliminated by Paraguay you are just not a first-class football team,” he said. “I am very disappointed.”

Klopp, who covered the tournament as a pundit, was asked directly whether he would be willing to step into the role following Germany’s exit. “I understand that my name is being mentioned,” he said. “But this isn’t the moment to talk about it — and certainly not with me.”

The former Liverpool manager had already attracted controversy during the tournament after appearing to cast doubt on Nagelsmann’s future in a live broadcast. Klopp remarked that Nagelsmann was “still” picking the team — the repetition of the word widely interpreted in Germany as a pointed suggestion that his tenure was on borrowed time. Klopp was subsequently forced to apologise.

“I’ve already found the most hated word of the year: ‘Still,’” Klopp said. “I could have punched myself in the face for that, but it was already too late and I was on TV. It just slipped out so casually and has absolutely no relevance.”

Klopp has been linked to the Germany job for some time, and his public profile throughout the World Cup has only intensified speculation that he could be set for a return to management with his home nation.