Nagelsmann asked to step down, Schweinsteiger offers himself for DFB role

Nagelsmann asked to step down after World Cup exit

Julian Nagelsmann met with DFB officials on Thursday morning to explain the World Cup failure. He has been asked to resign as Germany manager (2) (3) (4).

The news does not come as a shock. Ecuador beat your team in the group stage, and Gary Lineker called this Germany side "one of the weakest teams I have seen", a side that "lives off its past." Kai Havertz fired back, saying he is "not interested" in such predictions. But the damage is done.

Klopp and Völler, the dream ticket

Jürgen Klopp is the clear favourite to take over (3) (4). And Bastian Schweinsteiger is ready to help.

"If Julian Nagelsmann were no longer to continue, then I would say that Jürgen Klopp and Rudi Völler would be the dream team. Especially Rudi Völler as a counterbalance for Jürgen Klopp, that would fit well," Schweinsteiger said (1).

The 2014 World Cup winner did not stop there. He made it plain he wants a DFB role: "I wouldn't shy away" (1).

Paraguay await, and it will be hot

The Round of 32 match against Paraguay is in Foxborough. Temperatures back home have pushed past 40°C in a historic heatwave. The squad wears all-white, shorts and socks included, for the knockout tie. Win this, and France likely wait in the last 16.

Fan reactions

The mood among Germany fans on Reddit is torn between nostalgia and grim reality. One thread marking 16 years since Germany thrashed Argentina 4–0 at the 2010 World Cup drew bittersweet comments, the contrast with today's team hard to ignore. The Nagelsmann exit thread is more blunt, most see the sacking as overdue after the Ecuador defeat. Read the discussion here.