Jurgen Klopp has addressed rumours of him being a potential candidate to replace Julian Nagelsmann after Germany's shock exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Fans and pundits alike expected Die Mannschaft to demolish Paraguay, who are playing at their first World Cup since 2010. However, the 2010 quarter-finalists stunned the four-time winners (1954, 1974, 1990, 2014) when Julio Enciso opened the scoring (42').
Kai Havertz bagged an equalizer (54'), but the Germans weren't able to make their sustained attacking threat count for much more. The game went to a penalty shootout, in which they missed three penalties and lost 3-4 to the South American underdogs.
After the full-time whistle, talks of Nagelsmann's reported sacking were doing the rounds on social media. Amid those talks emerged rumours of Klopp being one of the favourites to replace him.
Currently, Klopp is the Head of Global Soccer for Red Bull GmbH, a group of football clubs all around the world owned by the Austrian energy drink brand. While covering the FIFA World Cup for MagentaTV, the 59-year-old addressed the rumours about taking over the head coaching role for his home nation.
The former Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund manager kept his cards close to his chest, saying (via Bavarian Football Works h/t @iMiaSanMia on X):
"I haven't thought about that yet. I understand that my name is being mentioned now. But it's not the time to talk about that."
After their surprise win over Germany, Paraguay will take on the winners of the Round of 32 clash between France and Sweden in the next round.
"I'm not someone who runs away" - Julian Nagelsmann makes claim after Germany's Round of 32 defeat at 2026 FIFA World Cup
Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann has claimed that he will respect the decision of the DFB (German football federation) after his side suffered a shocking exit in the Round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking to the press after the 3-4 defeat to Paraguay on penalties (1-1 after extra time), the 38-year-old said (via ESPN):
"If the DFB [German FA] wants me, I am going to continue. I know a lot of people want me to leave, but I would love to continue if the DFB want me. I'll give my arguments to my boss."
"If there was a survey today in Germany people aren't going to talk about me positively, obviously. We have not done much during this tournament. I'm not someone who runs away," Nagelsmann added.
Since their triumph at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Germany have endured a torrid time in the competition. Prior to their Round of 32 exit in 2026, they were knocked out in the group stage in both the 2018 and 2022 editions of the tournament.