The World Cup has seen its fair share of upsets, but Germany's loss to Paraguay is a particularly dismal performance. Despite starting strong with a 7-1 hammering of Curacao and a 2-1 win over Ivory Coast, Nagelsmann's side faltered in the final group stage with a surprise defeat to Ecuador.
Things only got worse as they faced Paraguay, with Julio Enciso opening the scoring before a Havertz equaliser. The game ultimately went to a nerve-shredding shootout, which Germany lost. It's hard to see Nagelsmann continuing in his role from here, but he remains committed to his contract, which runs until 2028.
Nagelsmann has taken full responsibility for the team's performance, stating that their possession was "very slow overall" and that they resorted to a "brute-force approach" at times. He also acknowledged that they lacked the cutting edge and struggled to create chances in the penalty area.
Jurgen Klopp, a former Liverpool boss and current TV pundit, was quick to criticise the team's performance, stating that they should have attacked down the wings and brought more energy to the pitch. He also hinted that structural change may be needed at the German Football Association, which has exited at the group stages in two consecutive World Cups.
Nagelsmann took charge of Germany in 2023, losing to Spain in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 in his previous tournament at the helm. With his contract set to run until 2028, it's unclear what the future holds for the German team and its coach.
Klopp's comments have sparked debate about the need for change within the German Football Association. He suggested that starting with the U10s and giving them time to develop could be a way forward. However, it remains to be seen whether this approach will be enough to turn things around for the German team.
