FRANKFURT, Germany, July 3, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Jurgen Klopp has told the German 
FA (DFB) he is "fundamentally willing" to take over as Germany coach after 
Julian Nagelsmann handed in his resignation, the DFB confirmed on Friday.

Nagelsmann, who had a contract until 2028, stepped down from the job on 
Friday, just four days after Germany's disappointing last-32 exit to 
Paraguay.

In a statement, the DFB said discussions would begin with Klopp, the former 
Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund manager, while thanking Nagelsmann for his 
almost three-year stint.

Klopp, who led Liverpool to Champions League and Premier League honours, is 
currently under contract as Red Bull's head of global football, but Sky 
Germany reports he has a verbal agreement which would allow him to leave to 
take up the Germany job.

Nagelsmann's resignation comes a day after the 38-year-old was called into a 
three-hour meeting at DFB headquarters in Frankfurt to discuss his future.

German tabloid Bild reported the coach was offered a severance package of 
seven million euros ($8 million), roughly one year's salary, to cut short his 
contract which was set to expire in 2028.

"The decision was anything but easy for me," Nagelsmann said in a statement.

"My top priority has always been the success of the team. After such a bitter 
disappointment, it deserves the chance of a new beginning."

Nagelsmann apologised to fans for the early exit.

"I am sorry and hurt from the bottom of my heart that we disappointed you and 
couldn't give you any more football nights at this World Cup."

DFB sporting director Rudi Voeller said Nagelsmann "is and remains an 
excellent coach and I am convinced that he will continue to follow his path 
successfully".

- Series of setbacks -

Germany's loss to Paraguay is the latest in a series of setbacks for the 
four-time world champions, who suffered two group stage World Cup exits in 
Russia and Qatar.

The Germans have not fared much better at the Euros. Germany were eliminated 
by England at the last 16 level in 2021 and lost to eventual champions Spain 
on home soil at Euro 2024.

By moving on from Nagelsmann immediately after the World Cup, the DFB wanted 
to avoid a repeat of the situation in 2018 and 2022, when some felt they held 
onto an unsuccessful coach for too long.

Joachim Loew, a world champion in 2014, eventually left the position three 
years after the 2018 World Cup, with Flick leaving a year after the 2022 
edition.

Nagelsmann's appointment was initially considered a coup for the DFB, with 
European clubs reportedly interested at the time.

Already the youngest coach in Bundesliga history when he took over Hoffenheim 
aged 28, Nagelsmann also managed Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig.

Initially appointed on a short-term deal for Euro 2024, Nagelsmann extended 
shortly before that tournament and then signed another extension in January 
2025, which would take him to after Euro 2028.

Germany showed signs of a revival under Nagelsmann at Euro 2024, winning 
their group before losing in extra time to eventual champions Spain in the 
quarter-finals.