Nagelsmann Coaches Germany
Julian Nagelsmann reaffirms commitment to coach Germany through Euro 2028 despite World Cup exit
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Key Points
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Historical precedent suggests the DFB has backed managers through rebuilds, with Berti Vogts guiding Germany to Euro 1996 after a 1994 World Cup exit, a context cited by Nagelsmann's supporters as he weighs his future.
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Rudi Völler, the DFB’s sports director, publicly voiced strong support for Nagelsmann, saying he is 'an absolute top coach' and 'a fighter' who he believes is probably the right person to continue.
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Nagelsmann’s contract has been extended to cover Euro 2028, with a January 2025 extension pushing the deal through to 2028, ensuring continuity through the 2026 World Cup cycle.
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Germany were eliminated from the 2026 World Cup in the round of 32 by Paraguay on penalties, marking a high-profile knockout exit after earlier group-stage exits in 2018 and 2022, intensifying scrutiny of Nagelsmann’s tenure.
Julian Nagelsmann says he is not going anywhere. Germany's head coach told reporters he will not resign after his team's stunning penalty shootout exit to Paraguay in the Round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup. "I am not someone who runs away," Nagelsmann said, according to The Guardian. "If the DFB wants me, I am here."
The loss ended 1-1 after extra time, with Paraguay winning 5-4 on penalties. Germany had 71% of the ball and fired 22 shots to Paraguay's four, according to France 24. It is the first time in history Germany has failed to reach the quarter-finals at three straight World Cups — 2018, 2022, and now 2026.
Nagelsmann Refuses to Quit Despite Fan Pressure
Nagelsmann was blunt at his post-tournament press conference on June 28. "The decision lies with the DFB, but my heart is in this project," he said, according to Yahoo Sports. He added that a penalty shootout loss should not erase the work done to rebuild the squad. He has guided Germany to a 62% win rate since taking charge in September 2023.
A recent poll by Der Spiegel found a divided public. Forty-eight percent of German fans want a new coach, with many naming Jürgen Klopp as their top pick. But 42% believe Nagelsmann should stay. The coach has been clear: the final call belongs to the German FA, not him.
Rudi Völler Backs Nagelsmann With Full Support
DFB Sporting Director Rudi Völler held an emergency meeting on June 29. He then issued a public vote of confidence. Völler called Nagelsmann "an absolute top coach" and "a fighter," according to Head Topics. He said he believes Nagelsmann is "probably the right person" to lead Germany into the next cycle.
DFB President Bernd Neuendorf also pushed back against panic. "Continuity is a value we have lacked since 2018," he said. "We will not act out of pure emotion." Firing Nagelsmann would cost the DFB an estimated €12–15 million in severance — a serious hit at a time when the federation is already running a budget deficit.
Nagelsmann's Contract Runs All the Way to Euro 2028
The DFB extended Nagelsmann's contract in January 2025, locking him in through Euro 2028. That means he is contracted to lead Germany through the 2026/27 Nations League and the next European Championship. His annual salary is estimated at €6.5 million. The contract extension was designed to give the team long-term stability before the World Cup qualifying cycle began.
The DFB first signed Nagelsmann on a short-term deal in September 2023, only to cover Euro 2024. Germany reached the quarter-finals on home soil before losing narrowly to Spain. That strong showing prompted the DFB to extend his deal through the 2026 World Cup in April 2024 — and then again to 2028 in January 2025, according to Yahoo Sports.
The Berti Vogts Blueprint Germany Is Hoping to Repeat
Nagelsmann's backers point to history. In 1994, Germany lost to Bulgaria in the World Cup quarter-finals. The DFB kept coach Berti Vogts in charge despite loud calls for change. Two years later, Vogts led Germany to victory at Euro 1996. Supporters of Nagelsmann believe 2026 could be a similar turning point — painful, but not the end.
Critics disagree. Pundit Lothar Matthäus has called for a full reset, saying three straight tournament failures "require a total clearing of the house." Some analysts argue Nagelsmann's tactical style confuses players in high-pressure moments. The Nations League campaign starting in 2026/27 will be the first real test of whether the DFB made the right call by keeping him on.
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