JULIAN NAGELSMANN’s position as Germany boss is under immediate pressure after his side were dumped out of the World Cup by Paraguay – and Jurgen Klopp is the favourite to replace him.
Germany were stunned by their South American opponents on penalties on Tuesday morning in Boston after failing to come from behind to win.
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Jurgen Klopp is the favourite to replace under fire Julian Nagelsmann as Germany boss Credit: Getty
Nagelsmann watched his side crash out of the World Cup on penalties to Paraguay Credit: Getty
And it leaves young manager Nagelsmann’s position in extreme doubt.
He was watched by Liverpool legend Klopp – who was there as a pundit for Magenta TV.
Klopp, 59, came in for criticism at the start of the tournament for saying that the ex-RB Leipzig coach was picking the team “still” – implying his job was in threat.
He rowed back on those comments and apologised to Nagelsmann’s face on air – but then just two weeks later watched the team crash out in the last-32.
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Taking on the Germany role is now 5/4 to be Klopp’s return according to the betting markets.
And Nagelsmann, who has been in post since September 2023 and oversaw the home 2024 Euros quarter-final extra-time exit to Spain, is facing calls to be sacked straight away.
One fan online said simply: “NAGELSMANN OUT.”
Another added: “Worst generation of German team! Sack Nagelsmann immediately”.
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A third wrote: “Julian Nagelsmann should be getting the sack letter as soon as possible”.
Someone else posted: “Sack Nagelsmann and so many players shouldn’t wear the Germany kit anymore. We have to start from scratch once again.”
Divisive coach Nagelsmann played down QUITTING after the match, saying: “I would like to continue in the job.
“But I accept that if you are eliminated by Paraguay, you are not a first class football team anymore.
“We just didn’t do enough to win.
“Saying that, in my opinion to call it a foul on the goalkeeper before [Jonathan] Tah scored was a joke.
“We didn’t defend well enough and when we had overloads on the wings we lost control of the ball too much.
“I don’t want to fault the boys because they gave it their all but we need to be faster and while we created enough chances, we were not present enough in the box.”
But he will surely face the music for this shock defeat with DFB chiefs furious at falling at the first knockout hurdle.
Germany have been horrendous at major tournaments since winning the World Cup at Brazil 2014 with Nagelsmann’s up and down reign doing nothing to change that.
The tactics whizz lasted barely 18 months at Bayern Munich and was surprisingly handed a contract extension with Germany until 2028 last year.
Many felt he would only do Euro 2024 before returning to the club game – and now that move might be accelerated.
He saw Kai Havertz and Nick Woltemade both miss spot kicks in a dramatic shootout before Jonathan Tah fired over and handed Paraguay’s Jose Canale a chance to send the underdogs through.
Paraguay, who lost their group stage opener to co-hosts USA 4-1 barely a fortnight ago, spurned two opportunities to progress on pens before that only to be denied by Manuel Neuer.
They were fortunate not to lose in extra-time when Tah had a header ruled out for an adjudged foul by team-mate Waldemar Anton on goalie Orlando Gill.
The ‘keeper then came out as a hero by saving two pens.
Neuer himself stopped Fabian Balbuena’s with Antonio Sanabria going wide as well.
Paraguay had stunned Germany by taking the lead against the run of play just before half-time.
Havertz equalised shortly after the break but Germany could not find a way through.
Klopp has long been touted as Nagelsmann’s successor with many believing it is the only job he would go into after leaving Anfield.
