Nagelsmann stays on as Germany coach after World Cup exit despite calls for his dismissal

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Nagelsmann stays on as Germany coach after World Cup exit despite calls for his dismissal
Germany stunned by Ecuador defeat as Neuer faces criticism and knockout stage looms
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Julian Nagelsmann will remain Germany’s national team coach despite the DFB’s humiliating 2026 FIFA World Cup exit to Paraguay on Sunday, defying calls for his dismissal and securing the backing of DFB Sport Director Rudi Völler. Speaking hours after the 2-1 defeat in Kansas City, Nagelsmann told reporters, “I want to continue” , a stance immediately endorsed by Völler, who declared his confidence in the embattled coach during a live FAZ forum .
The defeat in Group D ended Germany’s tournament at the group stage for the second consecutive World Cup, a result that triggered international ridicule and domestic soul-searching. German media framed the elimination as a systemic failure, with *Die Welt* declaring “Germany is not Germany anymore” and questioning the “myth” of German football’s invincibility . Former Bayern Munich coach Jürgen Klopp, repeatedly touted as a potential successor, told *Tagesspiegel* that “this is not the moment” for him to take the job, while being directly asked about the vacancy during a MagentaTV interview .
Nagelsmann’s decision to persist follows a chorus of criticism from within the squad. Mats Hummels publicly demanded consequences, singling out Nagelsmann, DFB officials, and an entire generation of players for accountability . Joshua Kimmich and Kai Havertz, speaking after the Paraguay match, admitted the team “did not function” . Yet Nagelsmann, whose tactical switch to field Deniz Undav over Jamal Musiala in the final group game drew scrutiny, insisted the change had been planned days earlier and was not a reaction to the crisis .
The DFB now faces an unenviable choice: either back Nagelsmann through a rebuilding phase or embark on a high-risk search for a new leader amid public pressure. Völler’s public support suggests Nagelsmann will start the UEFA Nations League campaign in September, but the political temperature inside the federation remains volatile. Meanwhile, the Netherlands’ Ronald Koeman also left his post’s future open after the Oranje’s penalty shoot-out exit to Morocco, telling RTL that he would reflect “from tomorrow” .
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