Julian Nagelsmann’s future as Germany coach is being questioned over an unusual call by the football federation [DFB].
Nagelsmann coached his Germany side to a shock early World Cup exit in the round of 32 against Paraguay.
He’s now facing calls to resign, and one decision has led journalists to suggest a separation may be in the pipeline.
DFB cancel Nagelsmann press conference
Sport1 report that an exit press conference with the coach and DFB officials has been cancelled.
The media show usually takes place after every major tournament for the men’s team.
The team instead flew directly home on Tuesday night to head off on holidays.
Nagelsmann and the DFB will instead make a separate public statement, with speculation that it could be a separation.
Kicker reporter Sebastian Wolff gave his prediction in Boston.
He said: “The analysis will probably begin – and perhaps also end – with Julian Nagelsmann.
“After the final whistle, the national team coach buried his face in his hands, almost motionless on the bench. Only afterward did he go over to his players and thank each and every one of them.
“And it doesn’t take much imagination to think that this may have been his final act as Germany’s head coach.
“He took over with ambitious goals. He wanted to become world champion. Yet once again Germany has failed to reach the last sixteen teams of a World Cup.
“And in the end, that is nothing other than a disaster.”
Germany talk Nagelsmann’s future
Speaking after the exit, DFB sporting director Rudi Völler said: “I am still convinced that he is probably the right person to continue.
“But I am not the DFB alone, I don’t get to decide this alone.”
Jurgen Klopp continues to be heavily linked as Nagelsmann’s replacement, with Sky reporting Germany and Real Madrid are the only teams he’d consider stepping out of retirement for.
Klopp to replace Nagelsmann?
Speaking after the exit, Klopp said: “There are 500,000 ways to win a football match. You just have to find one.
“There was only one goal, one dream, and that’s been shattered. It was dramatic. We didn’t function properly.
“You have to attack down the wings. There is no alternative. We all know how well the lads can play, but they didn’t bring that to the pitch.
“In three months we will be raving about Wirtz and Musiala again, about how great they are. But not now.
“Paraguay had the opportunity to achieve something “Germany was under pressure to achieve something.
“There was too little increase in tempo and consistency. Everyone in the stadium thought: Now they’ll turn it around! But we didn’t. We let them off the hook.
“We can talk about the DFB. We absolutely have to change a few things. We can start with the U10s and wait a few years to see what the results are.”
Asked about taking the job, Klopp said: “I haven’t thought about it.
“I simply have to say: the most uncomfortable thing is that I’m the only person standing here who has been through this situation a hundred times before.
“After a huge dream has been shattered – like losing a Champions League final, for example – you have to stand there and find words.
“And ideally, everything that’s being said right now should be forgotten immediately. Then tomorrow, after everyone has had time to think, we can start again.
“I understand that when people talk about the national team coach, my name will naturally come up in some way.
“But this is not the moment to really talk about that. And certainly not with me.
“It’s a bit of a curiosity that I’m standing here. If I weren’t here, then… well, that’s fine. But there’s nothing to say about it.”
Nagelsmann wants to stay
Nagelsmann was also given comments from Joshua Kimmich about not running away.
“Yes, because I’m not someone who runs away,” he said.
“And this isn’t the first time—it’s been happening for quite a while now that we deliver tournaments like this.
“There are certainly some fundamental issues, which I don’t want to go into right now, that need to be changed somehow, regardless of the setup or circumstances.
“But I’m not someone who sits here and says, ‘I resign just because we’ve been eliminated.’
“If the DFB wants me to continue, then I’ll continue. And if they don’t want that, then they can tell me.
“I know how football works. I know how the business works. I’m also aware that there are probably not many people sitting out there right now who would be happy for me to continue.
“But I would still carry on if the DFB wants me to.”
Nagelsmann hammered by Germany legends
Former Germany coach Jürgen Klinsmann went on to hammer the team.
“It’s a very sad day for all of us in Germany, we didn’t expect this,” he told ESPN.
“The way we were eliminated is devastating, an embarrassment. It’s just as terrible as in Qatar four years ago and Russia eight years ago.
“The responsibility lies with everyone – from the coaching staff to the federation and every single player. Everyone has contributed to this disaster.
“Everything, from top to bottom, must be questioned and discussed.”
Pundit Didi Hamann was even more annoyed, lashing out at Nagelsmann in particular.
“He’s the type of guy who hardly ever watches games,” fumed Hamann on RTE.
“In that respect, I have no sympathy for him. I think the team and he got exactly what they deserved, and now they’re going home.
“Heart and courage come from team spirit, from knowing that you can trust your teammates when you need them.
“And I simply have the feeling that this was never the case under this coach, because although there were some decent performances, on average their performances were disappointing.”
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