What happened: Julian Nagelsmann has stepped down as Germany head coach after the four-time champions were knocked out of the World Cup in the last 32, beaten by Paraguay in a penalty shootout. The German Football Association confirmed on Friday it had asked the 38-year-old to leave, thanking him for his work since September 2023. The DFB said it will now pursue talks with former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who has signaled a general willingness to take the job.

Why it matters: The exit extends Germany's knockout drought at the World Cup, where they have not won a knockout match since lifting the trophy in 2014, and it was their first-ever shootout defeat at the tournament. Landing Klopp would be a marquee appointment, though he currently serves as Red Bull's Head of Global Soccer overseeing the same Klopp already lined up for the role across RB Leipzig, RB Salzburg and the New York Red Bulls. A reported release clause tied to the German national-team job could clear his path.

What to watch: Attention turns to whether Klopp triggers his reported release clause and how quickly the DFB can finalize terms. Nagelsmann's tenure ends after guiding Germany to the Euro 2024 quarter-finals.