Julian Nagelsmann has agreed to leave his position as Germany's head coach, effective immediately, following the national team's early World Cup exit.
The decision was finalized during talks with German Football Association (DFB) officials in Frankfurt.
The DFB confirmed that Nagelsmann's contract, originally running until the 2028 European Championship, has been terminated.
According to DFB president Bernd Neuendorf, the association thanks Nagelsmann for his work since September 2023.
Neuendorf described the former coach as having extraordinary ambition and a high level of commitment.
DFB sporting director Rudi Völler also praised Nagelsmann, calling him an excellent coach who will continue his path successfully.
Klopp Emerges as Top Candidate
Jürgen Klopp has signaled his fundamental readiness to take over the vacant managerial role, according to DFB officials.
Klopp has been out of management since leaving Liverpool at the end of the 2023-24 season and recently worked as a World Cup pundit for German television.
Klopp holds a prior verbal agreement with Red Bull that allows him to break his contract as head of global soccer to accept the German national team job.
Nagelsmann was reportedly urged to voluntarily depart after presenting his analysis of Germany's round-of-32 penalty shootout loss to Paraguay in Boston.
German publication Bild reported that the 38-year-old coach has been offered a severance package of €7 million, roughly one year of his salary.
“The decision was anything but easy for me,” Nagelsmann said. He expressed deep regret for failing to deliver an extended tournament run for the fans.
“My top priority has always been the success of the team. After such a bitter disappointment, it deserves the chance of a new beginning.
I am sorry and hurt from the bottom of my heart that we disappointed you and couldn’t give you any more football nights at this World Cup,” Nagelsmann added.
The defeat against Paraguay marked Germany's third consecutive World Cup failure since winning the title in 2014.
The vacancy has drawn attention from top political figures, with a spokesperson for Friedrich Merz thanking Nagelsmann for his commitment and service.
