Jurgen Klopp linked with Germany job as Julian Nagelsmann resigns after FIFA World Cup exit

Julian Nagelsmann resigned as Germany head coach on Friday in the wake of the country's latest World Cup disappointment, with former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp emerging as the leading contender to replace him.

The German Football Association (DFB) announced Nagelsmann's departure four days after Germany were knocked out of the FIFA World Cup 2026 by Paraguay on penalties in the Round of 32, extending the four-time champions' miserable run to three successive tournaments without reaching the last 16.

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Nagelsmann's exit follows discussions with the federation and comes despite the 38-year-old previously insisting he intended to see out a contract that had two years remaining. German media had reported that his deal made him one of the highest-paid coaches at the World Cup.

His position came under increasing scrutiny during the tournament as criticism mounted over his tactical approach and team selection after another underwhelming campaign from one of international football's traditional powerhouses.

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Attention has now turned to Klopp, who has been heavily linked with the vacant role amid growing speculation that the former Liverpool manager could be tasked with rebuilding the national team ahead of its next major tournament.

Germany's latest early exit continued a worrying decline that has seen the country fail to progress beyond the early knockout stages in three consecutive World Cups, piling further pressure on the federation to usher in a new era.