Jurgen Klopp has been linked with taking over the German national team but may not have done himself any favours with his comments on Julian Nagelsmann during the World Cup
Jurgen Klop
Jurgen Klopp continues to be linked with the Germany job(Image: Maja Hitij - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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Germany football chief Rudi Voller has doubled down on his support of Julian Nagelsmann following Germany's defeat against Ecuador. Nagelsmann's future had come under scrutiny after Jurgen Klopp joked about the national coach's future, having been linked to the role himself.
But the former Liverpool boss may have stuck his foot too far into his mouth if he had his eye on the Germany job. While Nagelsmann did not want an apology from Red Bulls' global head of football, Germany's football hierarchy has made their position on their man clear.
Even in defeat, the national team's sporting director, Voller, was happy to talk up Nagelsmann's abilities. Certainly, the 66-year-old who scored 47 goals in 90 caps appears to enjoy a strong relationship with the head coach, even being described as a footballing father figure.
"I'm not sitting here because I have to protect Julian," he said in a press conference. "This isn't just something I say because I have to in my official capacity - but Julian is an absolutely top-class coach.
"He knows that being the national coach means that many people will have different opinions on decisions. But he's experienced enough to handle that."
There has been some frustration following Germany's defeat to Ecuador, but Die Mannschaft had already qualified for the knockout stages following victories over Ivory Coast and Curacao. Given the previous two World Cups where the side failed to get out of the group stage, Voller believes it is best to look to the positives.
"Two or three weeks ago, we all would have been perfectly happy to be top of the group after just two matchdays," he said.
"Of course, we wanted to maintain our momentum against Ecuador, but it's only human to be a few percentage points short against an opponent for whom it's the game of games. Everyone knows that.
Julian Nagelsmann
Julan Nagelsmann Germany were beaten by Ecuador
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"I am completely calm and relaxed; the team will give it their all on Monday (against Paraguay). The basic circumstances were different. For Ecuador, that was the game of the games of the last 20 or 30 years. Things weren't much better for us back then, even when we had progressed further."
Voller's defence comes after he had already provided his backing to Voller. Earlier this month he declared that Nagelsmann would be in charge until after the Euros in 2028.
“The DFB is completely satisfied with how Julian is doing," he said. "What happens after Euro 2028, I can’t yet say in his case. But definitely until 2028.
“Julian is a top coach. He is extremely empathetic. I know how he deals with the players. You couldn’t wish for anything better."
While that may have been the DFB's position, Klopp's joke certainly appears to have ensured they have doubled down.
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