Germany’s World Cup flop came with the price of change.
Head coach Julian Nagelsmann resigned Friday following Germany’s stunning Round of 32 loss to Paraguay – which had been obliterated by Team USA in its opening match and finished third in Group D – and the German football association already has a replacement in mind.
Jurgen Klopp, the former Liverpool coach, “already signaled his general willingness to take on the position,” according to the association.
Klopp was asked about potentially filling the job earlier this week.
“I haven’t thought about that yet,” Klopp told German broadcaster MagentaTV, according to The Athletic. “I understand that when the national coach position is discussed, my name is mentioned in some form.
“But it’s not the moment to really talk about it. There’s nothing to say about it. I have a job that I enjoy very much. As far as I know, it’s not a part-time job.”
How close was the change to not happening?
Germany lost by one penalty kick after the score was tied through two overtimes.
Nagelsmann initially said that he did not plan to resign but backtracked.
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“My top priority has always been the team’s success,” he said in a statement released by the German association. “After such a bitter disappointment, they deserve the chance for a fresh start.”
Klopp last coached Liverpool in 2024 and became global head of soccer for Red Bull (the energy drink, not specifically the New Jersey-based team.)
He previously said he was “not quite finished as a coach yet,” per The Athletic.
Germany assistants Benjamin Gluck and Benjamin Hubner also are leaving the national staff.
The soccer powerhouse’s only previous penalty shootout loss at a major tournament came in the final of Euro 1976.
Germany had been undefeated in four previous World Cup shootouts but now has not advanced to the Round of 16 in three straight World Cups.
