Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is facing growing calls to take on the German job
German head coach Jurgen Klopp reacts during the penalty shootout of the 2026 World Cup round of 32 football match between Germany and Paraguay at the Boston Stadium in Foxborough on June 29, 2026. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP via Getty Images)
German head coach Jurgen Klopp reacts during the penalty shootout of the 2026 World Cup round of 32 football match between Germany and Paraguay at the Boston Stadium in Foxborough on June 29, 2026. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP via Getty Images)
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Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has been urged to take over from Julian Nagelsmann as Germany head coach. The appeal comes from sections of the German media following the four-time World Champions' dramatic exit from this summer's tournament on Monday night at the hands of Paraguay in the Round of 32.
The ex-Bayern Munich boss was left helpless as his side saw their World Cup ambitions ended, with the South American outfit prevailing 5-4 on penalties following a 1-1 stalemate over 120 minutes.
In the wake of the defeat, German publication BILD ran a striking editorial urging ex-Liverpool boss Klopp to step in and save his nation. The demands follow Klopp's tongue-in-cheek comments about Nagelsmann's position, for which he subsequently issued an apology.
The article states that, despite Nagelsmann's contract extending until 2028, the country's football association can no longer tolerate a "business as usual" mentality. It declared that "Nagelsmann should go – and Jurgen Klopp should come!".
Holding Nagelsmann accountable for Germany's quarter-final elimination to Spain at Euro 2024, the piece contends he "has repeatedly done things since then that are inappropriate and unbecoming of the national coach."
It also brands the 38-year-old as "petulant, defiant, and know-it-all", alleging he lacks positivity and struggles to motivate his side. The publication further attacked his rapport with players, asserting that Nagelsmann "failed on the pitch and didn't manage to get his players into top form as a cohesive unit – which is precisely the job of a coach."
The outlet concluded that Klopp "can mould players into a cohesive unit" and establish a bond with supporters. It rounds off: "He won titles in Dortmund and Liverpool that seemed unattainable. Jurgen Klopp, take over! Germany needs you now!".
Julian Nagelsmann
Julian Nagelsmann has come in for fierce criticism(Image: Getty Images)
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The reaction across Germany has been scathing, as anticipated. Der Spiegel declared that Germany "deserved their downfall" for their uninspiring displays.
Nagelsmann was savaged by Focus Online, which stated he "has left behind a historic embarrassment: We Germans have never before lost a penalty shootout at a World Cup."
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung claimed: "The national coach failed at this World Cup. He grossly overestimated his team and his own abilities."
Berlin-based Welt also called for the former Liverpool boss to step in and salvage the situation. They wrote: "This is not just a sporting debacle, but the failure of a national coach who couldn't deliver on his promises. It's time for Jurgen Klopp."
Klopp currently serves as Head of Global Soccer at Red Bull and has been working as a pundit for German television at the World Cup. The 59-year-old has expressed contentment in his present position, yet has not dismissed the prospect of one day returning to management.
Speaking to Magenta TV following Germany's stunning defeat, the former Dortmund boss was non-committal, yet stopped short of ruling himself out.
"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," he said, rather diplomatically.
Jurgen Klopp on Magenta TV
Jurgen Klopp on Magenta TV(Image: Magenta TV)
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Nagelsmann, meanwhile, has made clear he intends to fight for his position. "I am not someone who runs away," he said.
"This is not the first time this has happened, and there are some things about today that need to be changed. But if the DFB wants me to continue, I am going to continue.
"I know the mechanics of football. I know how the industry works. I know a lot of people will want me to leave, but I would love to continue if the DFB wants me to."
This marks the third consecutive World Cup in which Germany have fallen at the knockout stages. At Russia 2018, the Germans, under Joachim Low — who had guided the nation to World Cup glory in 2014 — crashed out in the group stages. In Qatar in 2022, Hansi Flick similarly failed to steer Die Mannschaft beyond the group stage.
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