Official: Nagelsmann resigns as DFB Head Coach

The pressure on Julian Nagelsmann following the surprising elimination from the World Cup against Paraguay had been immense - now the chapter is officially closed.

The 38-year-old is stepping down as head coach of the German national team. The DFB announced this in a social media post. The crisis meeting with the DFB leadership is likely to have been the decisive factor.

"In the past few days since the elimination, I have thought a lot and exchanged ideas with trusted individuals in my personal environment and within the association. The decision was anything but easy for me. My top priority was always the success of the team. After such a bitter disappointment, it deserves the chance for a fresh start without burden," Nagelsmann is quoted as saying.

A small consolation is likely to be the severance package: according to media reports, he is to receive seven million euros in compensation - half of his outstanding salary over the next two years.

Nagelsmann succeeded Hansi Flick in 2023, under whom Germany - as in 2018 with Jogi Löw - failed to advance beyond the group stage. Following the quarter-final exit at the home Euros against Spain, the DFB team has now missed out on reaching the World Cup round of 16 for the third consecutive time.

Criticism of Nagelsmann had already emerged in the run-up to the World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Specifically, the 38-year-old's communication, squad selection, and tactical inflexibility are being criticized.

Among other things, there has been criticism of his snippy demeanor in interviews, and he also stuck with Leroy Sane despite insufficient performances at Galatasaray.

Meanwhile, captain Joshua Kimmich was deployed as a right-back, while not a single backup was called up. The omission of youngster Said El Mala from 1. FC Köln also caused a stir.

Jürgen Klopp is now considered the hottest contender to succeed Nagelsmann. The former Liverpool title-winner has long had his eye on the DFB head coach position.

However, the 59-year-old is currently still tied to the Red Bull group as "Head of Global Soccer". The German Football Association would have to pay a multi-million euro transfer fee for him.

The Nagelsmann project thus appears to be ending in an expensive affair for the already financially strained DFB.