Germany crash out of World Cup, Nagelsmann sacked, Klopp emerges as top replacement

Hupu Football News | July 8

German outlet Bild, led by chief editor Christian Falk, has detailed the events leading to Julian Nagelsmann's dismissal as head coach of the German national team. Below is a chronological breakdown of the key moments.

June 25: Confusion After Ecuador Defeat

Following a 1–2 loss to Ecuador, Nagelsmann addressed the squad in the locker room, explaining his halftime substitutions as an attempt to give every player World Cup minutes. His erratic approach—oscillating between "building a core lineup" and "free rotation"—left many players confused.

• A group including Schlotterbeck, Beier, Undav, and Gross played poker for hours.
• Others played Nintendo Switch consoles brought from Germany, racing in Mario Kart.
• Musiala, Wirtz, Felix Nmecha, and Malick Thiaw passed time playing Uno.
• Some players even played hide-and-seek in the 55-hectare complex.

One player told Sport Bild that life in the hotel was "boring as hell," adding that the time in Winston-Salem was far more tedious than the brief week earlier in Chicago.

June 27: Kimmich's Leadership Emerges

A consensus formed within the team that Joshua Kimmich should return to the "number 6 position"—the defensive midfield role he plays at Bayern Munich. Players agreed the captain could have a greater impact in central midfield, and that using him as a right-back wasted his abilities.

Unlike Nagelsmann, Kimmich held numerous one-on-one conversations at the Grelling estate. During the US training camp, he spoke privately with almost every player, working to unite the squad.

June 28: 'Veterans vs. Youngsters' Training Session

In the final training session before the Round of 32 match against Paraguay, Nagelsmann split the team into "veterans" and "youngsters," with no player under 29 in the veterans group. Many players did not understand the purpose of this "old vs. young scrimmage," even though Nagelsmann had used it frequently in recent weeks.

In the subsequent voluntary extra session—a penalty shootout—players were able to release pressure.

June 29: Historic Penalty Shootout Defeat

Germany suffered an embarrassing defeat against Paraguay, eliminated on penalties for the first time in team history.

• Some players were adept at playing "hide-and-seek" when determining penalty takers.
• Notably, Goretzka did not step up to take a penalty.
• Center-back Tah was forced to take the sixth penalty—the first of his career—and sent the ball over the crossbar.

After the match, the locker room was dead silent. Nagelsmann criticized Undav, who was making his first start, in an interview with Magenta:

"We should have taken the lead in the first minute; there were four players unmarked in front of goal, and a simple cross would have been an easy tap-in. But Deniz inexplicably chose to chip it to the back post."

Nagelsmann also sought other excuses, but players did not accept Tah's disallowed header in extra time as a reason for the loss. The team flew back on a charter plane, with Lena and Nagelsmann's mother also on board.

July 2: Crisis Summit at DFB Headquarters

The German Football Association (DFB) held a three-hour crisis summit at its Frankfurt headquarters. Nagelsmann explained the reasons for the defeat to top officials, including:

• President Bernd Neuendorf
• DFL CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke
• Sporting director Rudi Völler
• DFB executive director Andreas Rettig

His defense failed to convince the leadership. The DFB top brass strongly urged him to resign, threatening to fire him if he did not.

July 3: Nagelsmann Dismissed

Bild exclusively reported that the national team head coach was about to leave. The DFB confirmed the news later that morning.

Nagelsmann will receive a severance package of around €7 million, rather than the salary he would have earned under his original contract (until 2028, reportedly totaling €14 million).

July 3–4: Klopp Emerges as Successor

Jürgen Klopp is the top candidate to replace Nagelsmann. Negotiations have already begun with the former Mainz, Dortmund, and Liverpool manager.

On July 4, Klopp confirmed in an interview with Magenta and Servus TV: "I'm ready!"

Neuendorf and Watzke are planning a secret trip to the USA to meet and exchange views with Klopp, who is currently working as a football commentator for Magenta.

Source: Sport Bild

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