Germany football chief Rudi Voller has doubled down on his support of Julian Nagelsmann following Germany's defeat against Ecuador, potentially delaying Jurgen Klopp's hopes of taking over the national team. Nagelsmann's future had come under scrutiny after Klopp, the former Liverpool manager, joked about the national coach's future, having been linked to the role himself.
Voller's Strong Endorsement
In a press conference, Voller stated: "I'm not sitting here because I have to protect Julian. This isn't just something I say because I have to in my official capacity - but Julian is an absolutely top-class coach. He knows that being the national coach means that many people will have different opinions on decisions. But he's experienced enough to handle that."
Voller, who scored 47 goals in 90 caps for Germany, enjoys a strong relationship with Nagelsmann, even being described as a footballing father figure. His comments come after Germany's 1-0 loss to Ecuador, though the team had already secured qualification for the knockout stages with victories over Ivory Coast and Curacao.
Klopp's Joke Backfires
Klopp, now Red Bulls' global head of football, may have hurt his chances of landing the Germany job with his remarks. While Nagelsmann did not seek an apology, Germany's football hierarchy has made their position clear. Voller's defence follows earlier statements that Nagelsmann would remain in charge until after Euro 2028.
"The DFB is completely satisfied with how Julian is doing," Voller said earlier this month. "What happens after Euro 2028, I can't yet say in his case. But definitely until 2028. Julian is a top coach. He is extremely empathetic. I know how he deals with the players. You couldn't wish for anything better."
Positive Outlook Despite Defeat
Despite frustration over the Ecuador loss, Voller urged a focus on the positives, noting Germany's previous World Cup failures to advance from the group stage. "Two or three weeks ago, we all would have been perfectly happy to be top of the group after just two matchdays," he said. "Of course, we wanted to maintain our momentum against Ecuador, but it's only human to be a few percentage points short against an opponent for whom it's the game of games. Everyone knows that."
He added: "I am completely calm and relaxed; the team will give it their all on Monday (against Paraguay). The basic circumstances were different. For Ecuador, that was the game of the games of the last 20 or 30 years. Things weren't much better for us back then, even when we had progressed further."
Implications for Klopp
Klopp's joke appears to have prompted the DFB to reaffirm their commitment to Nagelsmann, potentially delaying any move for the former Liverpool boss. With Nagelsmann's contract running through 2028, Klopp may need to wait years for the opportunity, if it ever arises.
