The German Football Federation (DFB) has agreed to “immediately terminate the contract with coach Julian Nagelsmann”, whose contract extended until the 2028 Euro Cup, the institution explained in a statement,
Regarding his succession, the DFBi specified that it will “initiate conversations with Jürgen Klopp, former Liverpool coach and the federation’s favorite candidate, who “has already communicated that he was willing, in principle, to take over the position.”
Goodbye to Nagelsmann, in exchange for million-dollar compensation?
Nagelsmann participated on Thursday in a three-hour meeting at the DFB headquarters in Frankfurt, in which, according to the version reported by media such as Bild and SkyGermany, He was offered a severance package of seven million euros ($8 million)—approximately one year’s salary—to leave office after Germany’s defeat in the World Cup.
Nagelsmann, 38, thus becomes the second national coach in Germany’s history to be dismissed, after his predecessor, Hansi Flick, suffered the same fate in 2023.
Door open to Klopp
Klopp, who left Liverpool in 2024 after a hugely successful spell in which he won the Champions League and the Premier League, is currently Red Bull’s global director of football, but reportedly has a release clause that would allow him to accept the job with the German team.
The 59-year-old coach continues to enjoy great popularity in Germany and has participated as a commentator on German television during the World Cup coverage.
Lost four-time champion since 2014
Germany was eliminated on Monday in Boston after losing on penalties against Paraguay, after the match ended 1-1 at the end of extra time. It was the first time that the Germans lost a penalty shootout in a World Cup.
The German team, four-time world champions, fell in the group stage in Russia 2018 and in Qatar four years ago. The Germans have not won a knockout match or managed to keep a clean sheet in the tournament since the 2014 final, in which they beat Argentina 1-0 in Brazil.
rml (afp, reuters, dpa, updated at 12:24 CET)
