Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann has officially stepped down following the country's disappointing exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, becoming the sixth manager to leave his position after the tournament.

The German Football Association (DFB) confirmed Nagelsmann's resignation after Germany's Round of 32 elimination at the hands of Paraguay on Monday.

His departure follows reports that the 38-year-old had expressed his intention to resign during a confidential meeting with senior DFB officials shortly after the defeat.

Reacting to his exit, Nagelsmann apologised to German football fans for failing to meet expectations.

“I am deeply sorry that I could not deliver more memorable World Cup moments and that I fell short of your expectations.”

Nagelsmann's resignation adds him to the growing list of managers who have paid the price for disappointing World Cup campaigns.

The coaches who have left their roles after the tournament include:

Sebastián Beccacece (Ecuador)
Ronald Koeman (Netherlands)
Miroslav Koubek (Czechia)
Steve Clarke (Scotland)
Hong Myung-bo (South Korea)
Julian Nagelsmann (Germany)

Nagelsmann was appointed Germany manager in September 2023 and was initially praised for stabilising the national team after a difficult period.

He guided Germany to the quarter-finals of UEFA Euro 2024, where they were narrowly eliminated by eventual champions Spain.

However, expectations were significantly higher at the 2026 World Cup, and Germany's failure to progress beyond the Round of 32 ultimately brought his tenure to an abrupt end.

The DFB is now expected to begin the search for a new coach capable of restoring Germany's status among world football's elite ahead of future international competitions.

Opinion

International football is often unforgiving, and World Cups have a habit of defining a coach's legacy more than years of steady progress. While Nagelsmann's exit may seem harsh given his work since 2023, Germany's standards remain exceptionally high. A single disappointing tournament can overshadow previous achievements. The challenge for the DFB now is not just finding a replacement, but identifying someone capable of rebuilding confidence while managing the immense pressure that comes with leading one of football's most successful nations.