Julian Nagelsmann has made the decision to step down from his role as Germany’s manager following their disappointing exit from the World Cup at the hands of Paraguay. Adding to his troubles was a controversy involving the players’ family members that cast a shadow over the team’s performance.
At 38, Nagelsmann witnessed his team bow out in the round of 32 after a tense penalty shootout, prompting the German FA to urge him to resign. His departure comes with a £6 million settlement, and already, former Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp has been approached as a potential successor to rejuvenate Germany’s football fortunes.
During a lengthy three-hour discussion held at the DFB headquarters in Frankfurt on Thursday, Nagelsmann was questioned on his strategic choices and the perceived overly relaxed environment within the camp. Ex-Germany captain Lothar Matthaus alleged that disputes among team members were sparked by distractions from the players’ spouses and partners.
Faced with these challenges, Nagelsmann chose to resign, though he was initially expected to guide the team in the upcoming European Championship set to take place in two years.
Following Germany’s World Cup debacle, Julian Nagelsmann has resigned, with German media speculating about the impact of his wife Lena’s presence at the team camp.
Former Germany captain Lothar Matthaus has claimed players’ girlfriends and wives contributed to their shock World Cup exit – pictured: Alexander Nubel’s girlfriend Eileen Rakowski and Nadiem Amiri’s girlfriend Nele Kracht
Matthaus claimed disputes had emerged behind the scenes over the travel arrangements of family members – Pictured: Leon Goretzka’s girlfriend Mathea Fischer
Nagelsmann has attracted heat over the WAGs situation, sparked initially by questions about his own wife Lena Wurzenberger being around the camp.
Wurzenberger, 34, had become a talking point having been a ‘constant presence’ around the camp.
The former sports journalist, who switched job after being linked to Nagelsmann, was first spotted at Germany’s pre-tournament camp in Frankfurt, when she was pictured watching training from a balcony along with a host of the players’ partners.
Wurzenberger was then seen watching Germany’s substitutes complete their warm down after their 7-1 win over Curacao in their opening match and accompanied Nagelsmann back to the team hotel, before the duo were seen cycling to training together the following morning.
‘There is naturally always that feeling that when the boss’s wife is in the room, you might not always be completely honest at the table when talking about the national coach,’ reporters had speculated.
Matthaus said of the situation: ‘There’s a lot to process, both on and off the pitch. Wives, families, everyone was involved. Lots of headlines.
‘I don’t know why you have to involve all the families right from the start.
‘Then it’s about travel options, about hotel bookings. That was all a topic within the team. It never appeared in the media, but I know it was a topic of discussion.
Kai Havertz with his wife Sophia after Germany’s group stage game against Ivory Coast
Wurzenberger, far left, had been seen watching training at Germany’s pre-World Cup training camp
‘One player was angry with another because one player’s mother was allowed to fly along, while another’s wife and children were allowed to fly. The others had to take a commercial flight.’
The partners of Kai Havertz, Manuel Neuer, Alexander Nubel, Nadiem Amiri and Leon Goretzka had been high-profile figures in the stands at the World Cup.
Now, it appears Germany will turn to former Liverpool manager Klopp – who is interested in the job.
Klopp was an awkward pitchside presence throughout the tournament, while Nagelsmann was under pressure, working on German television.
Speaking about the clamour for him to take over, Klopp said: ‘I haven’t thought about that yet.
‘I understand that my name is being mentioned now. But it’s not the time to talk about that.’