Germany’s crisis: Nagelsmann’s missteps open the door for Klopp’s return

Julian Nagelsmann’s World Cup ended in Boston with a penalty shoot-out defeat to Paraguay, sealing his fate as Germany manager. After two group-stage wins, his decisions in the knockout stages erased any goodwill, culminating in a 1-1 draw and a 5-4 shoot-out loss. Nagelsmann had survived the 102nd minute when Jonathan Tah’s header beat the Paraguayan goalkeeper, but the relief was short-lived. His tactical choices in the knockout stages exposed deep fractures within the Mannschaft. The players’ group had grown resentful after the 4-2 defeat to Ecuador in the final group match, a game Nagelsmann used to rotate his entire squad. The defeat to Ecuador left the Mannschaft on a knife-edge. Nagelsmann’s decision to start with his first-choice XI and make five substitutions at half-time backfired as Ecuador held firm. Substitutes Pavlovic, Havertz, Kimmich, Nmecha, and Wirtz failed to change the game, and Ecuador’s victory compounded the players’ frustration with their coach’s approach. In the days before the Paraguay match, Nagelsmann retreated to his hotel room to prepare. The result was a starting line-up without Jamal Musiala and with Deniz Undav. Rudi Völler, sporting director of the German FA, had publicly called for Undav’s inclusion, saying, “The country has been crying out for Undav to start.”

Germany and Paraguay locked in tight battle after VAR overturns Tah’s goal

Nagelsmann’s refusal to drop his preferred player, Kai Havertz, forced Musiala to the bench. After an hour with Undav struggling, Nagelsmann brought on Musiala, but the damage was done. Jürgen Klopp, working as a pundit in Boston, had already dismissed Undav during half-time, saying, “You can tell from his body language that Undav doesn’t want the ball. If I see that in a player’s eyes, I won’t play them.” Klopp’s assessment underscored the disconnect between Nagelsmann’s selections and the squad’s reality. The coach’s insistence on playing Joshua Kimmich at right-back, despite Vincent Kompany’s advice in 2024 that Kimmich would be better in midfield, added to the dysfunction. Kimmich, paired with Pavlovic at Bayern Munich, had thrived in midfield, but Nagelsmann moved him to defence. With ten minutes left in regulation against Paraguay, Kimmich switched to midfield and Waldemar Anton entered at right-back. A VAR review, however, thwarted a potential equaliser when Tah’s goal was disallowed. Nagelsmann’s post-match outburst to ZDF journalist Lily Engels was unequivocal: “Ein Vollskandal.”

Germany battles back in Boston while Paraguay holds 0-1 lead

The fallout is immediate. Nagelsmann’s position as Germany manager is untenable. Sources within the German FA confirm his tenure is likely to end before the Nations League fixtures against the Netherlands and Greece in September. The vacancy clears the path for Jürgen Klopp, who has indicated he would leave his role as football advisor at Red Bull to take the national team job. Germany’s World Cup exit in Boston has exposed a coaching crisis at the highest level. Nagelsmann’s missteps have not only ended his tenure but have also created an opportunity for Klopp’s return to international management.