Nagelsmann quits as Germany coach after early World Cup 2026 exit

Nagelsmann’s departure leaves the door open for former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp to take over, if he wants the job.Germany coach Julian ⁠Nagelsmann ⁠has been asked to step down after the ⁠team’s early World Cup exit, the country’s ⁠football association DFB announced on Friday, saying the 38-year-old had agreed to ‌go following talks with senior officials.Nagelsmann, who was under contract until the 2028 European Championship, leaves his position four days after Germany were stunned by Paraguay, losing 4-3 on penalties in one of the biggest upsets of the World Cup knockouts.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3German football has a bigger problem than a World Cup loss: Scapegoatinglist 2 of 3How Germany were handed a World Cup humbling and what it means to Paraguaylist 3 of 3Top 5 World Cup knockout shocks – Paraguay win hurts Germany againend of list“The German Football Association expressly thanks Julian Nagelsmann for his work since ⁠September 2023,” DFB President Bernd ‌Neuendorf said in a statement.“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.”German tabloid Bild reported that Nagelsmann took part in a three-hour meeting at DFB headquarters in Frankfurt on Thursday in which he was reportedly offered a seven-million-euro ($8m) severance package, approximately one year’s salary, to leave the position.Jamal Musiala and his teammates look dejected after the match as Germany were eliminated from the World Cup [Pilar Olivares/Reuters]Germany’s poor World Cup recordNagelsmann becomes just the second national coach in German history to be forced to step down after predecessor Hansi Flick suffered the same fate in 2023.“The decision was anything but easy for me,” Nagelsmann said in a statement.“My top priority has always been the success of the team. After such a bitter disappointment, it deserves the chance of a new beginning.”