Germany's shocking World Cup exit has sent the country's media into a tailspin, demanding change at the top. The four-time champions crashed out as they were beaten on penalties by Paraguay following a 1-1 draw in the round of 32.
Historic Penalty Shootout Defeat
The manner of the defeat was stunning. Germany had never previously lost a shootout, but that record was ended sensationally by the South Americans, who defended for 120 minutes before Jose Canale hit the winning spot-kick in sudden death after Kai Havertz, Nick Woltemade and Jonathan Tah had missed.
The result is widely expected to signal the end for manager Julian Nagelsmann, who was already unpopular with a section of fans and media. Calls for him to go are now deafening following one of the worst days in German football history.
Media Reaction
Tabloid Bild said Germany had "delivered a truly awful performance for much of the game. Slow. Boring. Lethargic. It's another German football nightmare!" Spiegel called it the "decline of a once great football nation" and added: "German World Cup failure also bears the name Nagelsmann."
Sky Sport Germany said Nagelsmann's side "lacked everything: speed, ideas, penetration, chances" in the first half. A host of "established players" were singled out for criticism, including Arsenal's Havertz, while the group was branded a "failed generation."
Nagelsmann Under Fire
Again, Nagelsmann took the brunt of criticism, with the report adding: "The end, however bitter it may have been, is no surprise. Therefore, things cannot continue as they are." In a poll on the Sky Sport Germany website, 93 per cent of voters called for Nagelsmann, who has a contract until 2028, to leave.
Bild has already nailed its colours to the mast in terms of a replacement: Jurgen Klopp. It called the former Liverpool boss "uniquely qualified to save German football" after Nagelsmann had failed to do so. It brutally added: "On the contrary, he crashed headlong into a wall."
International Press
Foreign media has also had a field day. Spanish title Marca declared: "Germany is no longer Germany. They failed to advance from the group stage at two consecutive World Cups – an unprecedented feat. On their third attempt, they made it. But they didn't get any further. Paraguay sent them home in the first round on penalties – a discipline in which the Germans had previously been infallible at World Cups. Germany is not what it once was."
Gazzetta dello Sport of Italy wrote: "Germany, what a flop!" Mexican title Esto added: "The German myth is over!"
