Nagelsmann on the Brink? DFB Professional Director Völler Speaks Out

"The disappointment is enormous," says Rudi Völler after the German national team's exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The DFB team was eliminated by Paraguay in a penalty shootout (to the match report >>>).

On Magenta TV, Völler, the 90-cap former German national striker, commented: "Of course, it's fundamentally not enough. If you consider the last three World Cups: that's hard to bear for a footballing nation like Germany."

Germany: The Low Point of a Loser Generation?

After Germany had already exited in the group stage in 2018 and 2022, their journey in the USA, Mexico, and Canada ended shortly after in the Round of 32.

Is Nagelsmann on Shaky Ground?

Of course, after this renewed disappointment, the question must also be asked whether to continue with head coach Julian Nagelsmann.

The 38-year-old was appointed national coach in September 2023. In 2024, they were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the home European Championship by eventual champions Spain. Now, their World Cup journey ends in the Round of 32.

"I am not the DFB alone, so I don't get to decide this alone either," states Völler, who has been working as Director of Professional Football for the German national team since 2023.

However, he backs Nagelsmann: "But I know that Julian is a fighter and will attack again. But we will sit down together in the coming days. I think he is still the right person in the right place."

"It's Not in My Hands"

And what does Nagelsmann himself say about his situation? He has no thoughts about his future, as "it's not in my hands," he says.

But one thing is clear for him: "I'm ready if they want me. If they don't want me, they have to tell me," he says on Magenta TV.

Another German football legend, however, does not expect the Julian Nagelsmann era to continue at the DFB. Lothar Matthäus told "Bild": "I believe that after this World Cup, we need to move forward with a new coach. That was simply too much. There's probably a lot to address, on and off the pitch."

"Perhaps Time for a Fresh Start"

Jürgen Klopp, successful coach of teams including Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool FC, also has strong words after the embarrassment.

"There is no doubt that after this tournament and another exit, everything will be questioned. We are talking about a decade, that's a bombshell," says Klopp, whose criticism goes further. "We're not just talking about the national coach here, but about youth development concepts," he says.

Based on the performance shown, it is clear to him that they wouldn't have been able to become world champions anyway with such displays. "Perhaps it's time for a fresh start," he suggests.

Klopp: Germany Wouldn't Have Had a Chance Against France Anyway

Despite the exit, many eyes will likely remain on the German national team and Julian Nagelsmann in the coming days.