Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann has ruled out resigning from his post after his side’s dramatic loss to Paraguay in the World Cup round of 32, saying that he will lead the team at Euro 2028 if the German FA want him to.
Die Mannschaft were unconvincing in the group stages of the World Cup but finished top of Group E and despite their loss to Ecuador in their final game, they were heavy favourites as they faced Paraguay in Boston.
However, a first-half goal from Julio Enciso gave Paraguay the lead and while Kai Havertz eventually equalised with a header in normal time, the Germans didn’t have enough to produce a win at the end of 120 minutes, while they did have a extra-time goal controversially disallowed after a VAR review.
The penalty shoot-out loomed and while he’d been the hero to equalise originally, Havertz missed with the first spot-kick and Germany never recovered, with Nick Woltemade and Jonathan Tah also missing before Jose Canale sealed a famous win for the South American side.
It marks another low point for a Germany side who have not won a World Cup knockout tie since winning the final in 2014. And though Nagelsmann ticked one box by getting his side out of the group stages for the first time since then, the 38-year-old will be under pressure as the internal investigation into this summer’s performance begins.
However, he has said that he will not resign from his post after the defeat.
“I am available if the DFB wants that,” the Germany boss said to German broadcaster ZDF. “If the DFB (German FA) doesn’t want that, they have to tell me. I’m not the type to run away, that’s out of the question.
“If the DFB wants it, then I will prepare for the European Championship and the Nations League,” he added.
Nagelsmann’s current contract runs until 2028, a year in which Die Mannschaft will be expected to contend for the Euro 2028 title as the tournament is held in the UK and Ireland.
As for Paraguay, they will face either France or Sweden in the last 16, with that match taking place in Philadelphia on Saturday, 4 July.
