Germany head coach, Julian Nagelsmann, has ruled out resigning following his team’s stunning FIFA World Cup 2026 elimination at the hands of Paraguay, insisting he remains committed to the job if the German Football Association wants him to continue.
Germany’s campaign ended in the Round of 32 after a penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay in Boston, a result that ranks among the biggest surprises of the tournament.
Despite the setback, Nagelsmann said he has no intention of stepping away from his position and is prepared to face the criticism that comes with the disappointing exit.
Reflecting on the defeat and speculation surrounding his future, the Germany head coach stressed that he remains ready to lead the national team beyond the World Cup.
“I am not someone who runs away,” Nagelsmann said, as quoted by The Guardian. “This is not the first time this has happened, and there are some things about today that need to be changed. But if the DFB wants me to continue I am going to continue.
“I know the mechanics of football, I know how the industry works. I know a lot of people will want me to leave but I would love to continue if the football association wants me to.”
Nagelsmann also disclosed that he has already spoken with DFB officials since Germany’s exit, describing the discussions as supportive while acknowledging that no immediate decisions have been made regarding his future.
“They have talked to me gently, they comforted me, they’re not going to offer me an extension of my contract two minutes after I lost this match. They are not going to talk just after the defeat,” he admitted.
The 38-year-old recognised that public sentiment in Germany may be against him following the early elimination but maintained that he believes the team was capable of producing a stronger tournament.
“If we did a survey today in Germany people would not speak positively about me today. But in football you win some and you lose some, it’s always been that way, we haven’t really done much in this tournament to make people celebrate, but I have a lot of confidence that we could have done a better job.
“But I don’t think that everyone in Germany will agree with me staying on as manager of the Mannschaft. It was very difficult because they were ultra-defensive. We didn’t give enough. When you exit the World Cup after you play Paraguay then it is very bitter. If you do not score many goals then it is not enough. It is very hurtful.”
Germany’s defeat marked an unexpectedly early end to their World Cup journey, leaving Nagelsmann and his players facing scrutiny after failing to advance beyond the first knockout round.
However, the coach remains hopeful of retaining the DFB’s backing as attention turns to the team’s future.
