FIFA World Cup 2026: Nagelsmann says won’t ‘run away’ after Germany World Cup exit

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann said he wanted to stay in his job despite the defeat on penalties to Paraguay that sent the four-time World Cup winners crashing out in the last 32 on Monday.

Nagelsmann has a contract up to the 2028 European Championships, but Germany’s premature exit from the World Cup will put the 38-year-old under intense scrutiny.

“I’m not someone who runs away,” he told German broadcaster ZDF.

“I want to continue, but in football you don’t always have it in your own hands,” he said.

“If the DFB (federation) wants me to, then I will prepare for the European Championship and the Nations League,” he said.

The loss to the South Americans was the first time that Germany had ever lost a penalty shootout at a World Cup. It finished 4-3 after Jonathan Tah blasted his kick way over the bar.

Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who was at the match in Foxborough, Massachusetts, working for German broadcaster MagentaTV, has long been rumoured as a future coach of the national team.

But Klopp refused to be drawn on the possibility on Monday.

“I understand that my name is being mentioned, but this is not the moment to talk about it, and especially not with me,” Klopp said.

Midfielder Nadiem Amiri said Germany still has a bright future but conceded the pain of defeat makes it hard to look too far ahead.

Several of Germany’s core players may not be around for the next World Cup in 2030, but Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz should be in their prime by then.

Highly-rated teenager Lennart Karl will also be back in the fold, having missed this tournament due to injury.

“We have a lot of young players, a lot of quality in the squad,” said Amiri, who came on deep into extra time and scored his penalty in the shootout.

“But at the moment, to think about the future is the wrong decision, and I feel for everybody. I’m very sad because it was a shocking end to the game. It’s very difficult to find the right words,” he added.