Nagelsmann won't 'run away' following early World Cup exit

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann said he wanted to stay in his job, despite the defeat on penalties to Paraguay that sent the four-time World Cup winner crashing out of the last 32 on Monday.

Nagelsmann has a contract up to the 2028 European Championships, but Germany's premature exit from the World Cup will put the 38-year-old under intense scrutiny.

"I'm not someone who runs away," he told German broadcaster ZDF.

"I want to continue, but in football you don't always have it in your own hands.

"If the DFB (federation) wants me to, then I will prepare for the European Championship and the Nations League."

The loss to the South American side was the first time that Germany has ever lost a penalty shootout at a World Cup — it finished 4-3 after Jonathan Tah blasted his kick way over the bar.

Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who was at the match in Foxborough, Massachusetts, working for German broadcaster MagentaTV, has long been rumored as a future coach of the national team.

But Klopp refused to be drawn on the possibility on Monday.

"I understand that my name is being mentioned, but this is not the moment to talk about it — and especially not with me," Klopp said.

Midfielder Nadiem Amiri said Germany still has a bright future, but conceded the pain of defeat makes it hard to look too far ahead.

Several of Germany's core players may not be around for the next World Cup in 2030, but Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz should be in their prime by then.

AFP