Nagelsmann says won't 'run away' after Germany World Cup exit
Germany's head coach Julian Nagelsmann speaks to his players ahead of the penalty shootout of the 2026 World Cup round of 32 football match between Germany and Paraguay at the Boston Stadium in Foxborough on June 29, 2026. (Photo by Jewel SAMAD / AFP)
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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.
"If the DFB (federation) wants me to, then I will
prepare for the European Championship and the Nations League."
The loss to the South Americans was the first time that
Germany have 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.
"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 have 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."

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