Germany's head coach Julian Nagelsmann left the pitch in tears on Friday after suffering a gutwrenching loss to Spain at Euro 2024.
Jamal Musiala's goal-bound strike controversially hit an outstretched Spanish hand before La Roja raced down and scored a last-minute winner. But after this frenetic Euros quarterfinal finish settled, German fans quickly placed their 36-year-old manager under the microscope after the hosts' early tournament exit, outraged by the continued faith in unproductive Arsenal star Kai Havertz.
Some shouts even emerged for Nagelsmann to move aside after his first international tournament for former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp , an appointment that gained support from national legend and former Chelsea great Michael Ballack in February.
"In a normal career, one day he will become manager of the German national team," Ballack said on the Football's Greatest YouTube channel . "Everyone is looking for that. But he is now in a position where he can make his own decisions, he can build his own career, he can train every club in the world... But he's a guy who also loves consistency and he has values.
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"But we would love it one day. He has this quality and has this character to actually symbolize all Germans [and] German attitudes, and we need a leader like him. Whenever people are ready, I think people on the fence would love it."
Ballack is plenty familiar with Spanish disappointment on the continental stage, captaining Germany to a 1-0 defeat in the Euro 2008 final in neighboring Austria and helping generate several quality chances late on from his midfield role. He would appear 98 total times for Die Mannschaft, considered among the best midfielders of his generation while scooping up three German Footballer of The Year awards.
Klopp had a less remarkable career as a player, making all 325 appearances for then-second division side Mainz 05 while famously quipping: "I had fourth-division feet and a first-division head." However, after leading the West German club to the top flight as manager, Klopp achieved four Champions League finals appearances - winning once in 2019 - and three domestic titles across 15 seasons at Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool FC .
The fiery Gegenpressing manager announced his sudden decision to voluntarily step away from Anfield in January, however, citing fatigue from the high-pressure position. An international role and its more relaxed schedule may be better suited for the burnt out coach, however, and Klopp insisted he will return to management.
"It's out of the question that I'll stop working altogether," Klopp told the Willipedia podcast after leaving Liverpool. "But I don't see myself continuing at the same pace as before at the moment."
A 2024 Q&A conducted by The Athletic's Simon Hughes on social media confirmed Klopp's potential interest in the opening, writing: "The only national job he'd (Klopp) take would be Germany. Or maybe, USA."
Despite these rumblings, the DFB has been vocally committed to Nagelsmann as their long-term manager. The former Bayern Munich coach took over on a short-term contract from Hansi Flick but recently signed an extension through the duration of the 2026 World Cup.
“It’s a strong statement for the DFB and the national team that Julian will remain beyond this home Euros, since he was on the list of many big clubs in Europe," DFB president Bernd Neuendorf said in a statement. "But the national team is more than a job for Julian. We now have certainty in our planning and can all concentrate on a successful Euros.”
But the Euros weren't successful for Germany. Nagelsmann's position is now under threat, and Klopp could step into a dream role soon.
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