Nagelsmann Says Germany No Longer First-Class After 3rd Straight Early Exit
Updated
Updated · ESPN · Jun 30
Nagelsmann Says Germany No Longer First-Class After 3rd Straight Early Exit
3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Jun 30
Summary
Germany crashed out in the last 32 after a 1-1 draw with Paraguay and a penalty shootout in which Kai Havertz, Nick Woltemade and Jonathan Tah all missed.
Julian Nagelsmann said that third straight early World Cup elimination means Germany are no longer among football's "first-class" teams after also failing to clear the group stage in 2018 and 2022.
The 38-year-old coach still wants to stay, saying he will continue through his contract to Euro 2028 if the German FA backs him and that he will not "run away."
The defeat extended Germany's knockout drought to 12 years, with the four-time champions still without a World Cup knockout win since lifting the trophy in 2014.