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Annual salary of 7 million euros, contract with two years remaining. On June 30, Nagelsmann stated to the camera that he would absolutely not resign.
Annual salary of 7 million euros, with two years left on his contract. On June 30, Nagelsmann declared to the camera that he would not resign.
Three days later, he left.
A few days earlier, in the World Cup round of 32, Germany was dragged into a penalty shootout by Paraguay and lost. Dominating possession, they turned the ball into a rosary, but couldn't spin out a winning score.
After the match, he snapped at the reporters. After venting, he admitted a bitter truth: Germany is no longer a top-tier world team.
The head coach of a four-time world champion personally stripped off his own facade.
He had a contract until 2028 with an annual salary of 7 million euros. With two years remaining, the book value was 14 million euros. The football association didn't want to pay the full amount. After days of negotiation, the figure was reduced to around 7 million, roughly one year's salary.
Nagelsmann took the compensation and issued a statement. The wording was dignified: "After a bitter disappointment, the team deserves a fresh start without any burden."
In 2018 in Russia, they were eliminated in the group stage. In 2022 in Qatar, they were eliminated in the group stage. In 2026 in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, they finally made it out of the group, only to be sent home by Paraguay in the first knockout round.
Three consecutive failures. The crown of German football loosened another notch.
The man taking over is 59 years old.
Klopp. He left Liverpool in 2024 to become the Global Head of Football at the Red Bull Group. His contract runs until the end of 2029, with an annual salary reportedly between 10 and 12 million euros.
Two years ago, he said he was exhausted and quit. Now, facing the MagentaTV camera, he says: "I am more than recharged; I am ready."
What was he doing in those two years? Sitting in the office, managing strategy, not standing on the training ground.
Jumping from Red Bull to the national team is a messy business on paper.
The contract lasts until 2029. Red Bull Group's CEO for Sports, Mintzlaff, publicly denied the existence of a release clause. On the other hand, there are reports that the contract contains a special clause allowing him to accept a national team offer. Both sides have their own stories.
Klopp publicly stated that he doesn't think Red Bull will stand in the way.
His words were firm. It also showed he knew this call was coming.
Look at the table that decided Nagelsmann's fate.
Four people.
Sporting director Völler, Nagelsmann's staunch supporter, but the tide had turned. FA president Neuendorf and general manager Rettig were also seated.
The one who truly made the decision was Watzke.
Vice president of the FA, former CEO of Borussia Dortmund. Klopp's old partner from his time at Dortmund, they won the league together and have a deep personal friendship. The man who once fought alongside him now sits at the head of the coaching selection table.
Old friendship became the heaviest bargaining chip.
The selection process was completed under the watchful eyes of old comrades.
A 59-year-old, who has been away from the coaching bench for nearly two years, takes over a team that has been eliminated from three consecutive World Cups.
The 2028 European Championship will be held in the UK and Ireland. Germany last hosted a major tournament in 2024. Don't count on home-field advantage to turn things around.
Nagelsmann admitted the bottom line: no longer a top team.
A four-time world champion brought in a 59-year-old to clean up the mess. The FA is keeping the amount of the predecessor's severance pay under wraps, but the debt is still on the books.
Klopp says he's ready.
That undisclosed bill, and the German team that is no longer first-class, are both waiting for next year's qualifiers.