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After Germany’s shock early elimination from the World Cup at the hands of Paraguay, attention quickly turned to the man in charge — head coach Julian Nagelsmann. However, the German Football Association’s (DFB) sporting director Rudi Völler has come out in support of him.

“First of all, the disappointment is enormous,” Völler told Magenta TV. “We expected more, and there was more possible for us, but unfortunately we’ve been knocked out.” He clarified that the defeat was not due to a lack of commitment from the players, adding, “We have great team spirit, a great mentality. The team gave everything again today.” Völler admitted it was hard to find the right words so soon after the painful exit.

Völler made it clear that, in his view, the DFB should continue backing Nagelsmann. “You all know what kind of relationship I have with Julian Nagelsmann,” he said. “It’s often written that I try to protect him or act as his bodyguard. He doesn’t need that at all, because he remains an absolute top coach. That’s something that should be said even when results don’t go our way.”

Despite his support, Völler stopped short of confirming Nagelsmann’s job security. “I’m still convinced that he is probably the right man to continue,” he commented. “But I’m not the DFB alone. I’m not the only one who gets to decide that.”

Völler then described what comes next for the German federation: “I know that Julian is a fighter. He managed to pull himself together quickly after such a bitter defeat. He wants to come back and fight. Over the next day or two, we’ll sit down together and talk it through again. Personally, I still believe he’s the right person in the right position. I understand that many people won’t see it that way after a loss like this, but I continue to think he is an absolute top coach.”

📸 Photo: Alexander Hassenstein – 2026 Getty Images