The German football association is pursuing Jurgen Klopp for the role of men's national team coach following the resignation of Julian Nagelsmann. Nagelsmann stepped down on Thursday after Germany's disappointing early exit from the World Cup, where they were eliminated by Paraguay on penalties in the last 32.

In a statement, the DFB confirmed they have accepted Nagelsmann's request to terminate his contract. They expressed their intent to engage in discussions with Klopp, who has shown a willingness to consider the position.

Nagelsmann, who took charge in 2023, initially aimed to stay on, asserting after the loss, "I'm not someone who runs away." However, he later reflected on the team's performance and stated, "I've done a lot of thinking in the days since our elimination... The decision was anything but easy for me. My top priority has always been the team's success. After such a bitter disappointment, they deserve the chance for a fresh start."

This World Cup marked Nagelsmann's second major tournament, following a quarter-final exit at Euro 2024. Germany's struggles in international competitions have been notable, as they haven't won a World Cup knockout game since 2014. The team failed to advance beyond the group stage in the previous two tournaments under Joachim Low and Hansi Flick.

Rudi Voller, the DFB's sporting director, expressed respect for Nagelsmann's decision, emphasizing his commitment to the team. He acknowledged the collective disappointment of the tournament's outcome but commended Nagelsmann as an excellent coach who will continue to find success.