The German Football Association (DFB) announced on Friday that head coach Julian Nagelsmann has been asked to step down following the team's early World Cup exit, with the 38-year-old agreeing to leave after talks with senior officials.

Nagelsmann, who was under contract until the 2028 European Championship, leaves his position four days after Germany were stunned by Paraguay, losing 4-3 on penalties in one of the biggest upsets of the World Cup knockouts.

"The German Football Association expressly thanks Julian Nagelsmann for his work since September 2023," DFB President Bernd Neuendorf said in a statement. "He is characterized by a high-level of commitment and extraordinary ambition."

German tabloid Bild reported that Nagelsmann took part in a three-hour meeting at DFB headquarters in Frankfurt on Thursday, where he was reportedly offered a seven-million-euro severance package to leave.

Nagelsmann becomes just the second national coach in German history to be forced to step down, after predecessor Hansi Flick suffered the same fate in 2023.

"The decision was anything but easy for me," Nagelsmann said. "My top priority has always been the success of the team. After such a bitter disappointment, it deserves the chance of a new beginning."

Germany's defeat by Paraguay marked a third successive World Cup flop. The four-time World Cup winners suffered exits at the group stage in 2018 and 2022.

Nagelsmann's departure opens the door for former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, the federation's preferred candidate, to take over. The DFB said discussions would begin with Klopp, who has reportedly expressed willingness to become Germany coach.

Source: www.aljazeera.com