German Football Association (DFB) president Bernd Neuendorf will hold crisis talks with Julian Nagelsmann this week to dissect the national team’s disastrous World Cup elimination. The meeting follows Germany’s shock exit in the round of 32, where they lost to Paraguay on penalties in Boston.
Neuendorf confirmed he and the sporting leadership had already spoken with the head coach immediately after the defeat. “We are all in agreement that our performance at the World Cup fell short of our expectations,” the DFB president stated. “In the coming days, we will calmly examine why the team failed to fulfill its potential.” The tournament, held across the United States, Canada and Mexico, ended prematurely for Germany despite high hopes.
Nagelsmann defiant
Despite the growing scrutiny, Nagelsmann has rejected calls to step down. “I am not someone who runs away,” the 36-year-old said. “If the DFB wants me to continue I am going to continue. I would love to continue if the football association wants me to.” The coach, who spoke with DFB bosses for almost four hours after the match, remains under contract until after the 2028 European Championship.
This marked Nagelsmann’s second major tournament in charge, following the home European Championship where Germany managed just one knockout victory. The latest failure adds to a troubling pattern that included a 2-1 group-stage defeat to Ecuador.
Matthäus demands change
Former captain Lothar Matthäus has led calls for the coach’s immediate dismissal. Speaking to Bild, the 1990 World Cup winner described the display against Paraguay as “subpar” and warned that “this was simply too much.” Matthäus pointed to the earlier Ecuador loss as evidence of fundamental problems, stating that Germany must appoint a new coach to move forward.
Paraguay celebrate historic progress
While Germany contemplate their future, Paraguay savoured a famous triumph. The result prompted the country’s president to declare Tuesday a national holiday. Head coach Gustavo Alfaro praised his “26 warriors” as they secured a place in the last 16, where they will face either France or Sweden on 4 July in Philadelphia.