Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020
Julian Nagelsmann Germany future became the major talking point after the national team lost 4-3 on penalties to Paraguay following a 1-1 World Cup Round of 32 draw on Monday.
Germany national football team exited early for the third World Cup in a row, but Nagelsmann insisted he would not step down. The defeat carried extra frustration after Jonathan Tah’s extra-time header was ruled out following a VAR review.
For more World Cup tactical reaction, read Brazil vs Japan Possession Battle Explains Late World Cup Collapse, while official tournament updates are available through the FIFA World Cup 2026 page.
Nagelsmann Refuses To Walk Away
"I'm available if the DFB (German Football Federation) wants it, I have a deal until 2028. If not, then they have to tell me," Nagelsmann told broadcaster ZDF in a fractious interview.
"I am not the sort of person who runs away."
His deal runs until after the 2028 European Championship in the British Isles. This was his first World Cup as Germany coach after a quarter-final exit at Euro 2024 against eventual winners Spain.
VAR Call Fuels German Anger
The key flashpoint came in extra time when Tah’s header was ruled out for contact between Waldemar Anton and Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill.
Moroccan referee Jalal Jayed checked the monitor after VAR intervention and disallowed the goal, leaving Germany furious.
"It is a scandal that the goal can be ruled out. I have no idea what he saw. It is a joke," he rumbled.
"It is a total scandal, there is no way it is a foul."
Support And Pressure Arrive Together
Germany national team director Rudi Völler backed Nagelsmann after the match.
"I'm still convinced that he's the right man for the job, the right person in the right place," he said.
"When you're eliminated like this, many people won't understand it. I still think he's an absolutely top-class coach," he added.
Lothar Matthäus took the opposite view, telling Bild that Germany should move on.
"I believe we need to move forward with a new coach after this World Cup. It was just too much. There's probably a lot to work through, both on and off the field," he told the Bild newspaper.
"One game can always happen. But we already played terribly against Ecuador," he said.
