Germany football chief Rudi Voller has doubled down on his support for Julian Nagelsmann after Germany's defeat to Ecuador, pushing Jurgen Klopp's hopes of landing the national team role further away. The Liverpool icon, who previously made light of Nagelsmann's position, backtracked on his comments but may have overstepped if he harboured ambitions for the post.
Voller Defends Nagelsmann After Ecuador Setback
Despite the loss, Voller praised Nagelsmann as an "absolutely top-class coach" and dismissed any notion of a change. "I'm not sitting here because I have to protect Julian," Voller said in a press conference. "This isn't just something I say because I have to in my official capacity - but Julian is an absolutely top-class coach."
Germany had already secured knockout-stage qualification with wins over Ivory Coast and Curacao, and Voller emphasised the positives. "Two or three weeks ago, we all would have been perfectly happy to be top of the group after just two matchdays," he noted. "It's only human to be a few percentage points short against an opponent for whom it's the game of games."
Klopp's Comments Backfire
Klopp, now global head of football at Red Bulls, had joked about Nagelsmann's job security, prompting a firm response from Germany's football leadership. Voller's earlier announcement that Nagelsmann would remain until after Euro 2028 underscored the DFB's confidence. "The DFB is completely satisfied with how Julian is doing," Voller said. "What happens after Euro 2028, I can't yet say in his case. But definitely until 2028."
Klopp's quip appears to have solidified the DFB's stance, making a potential appointment for the former Liverpool manager seem increasingly unlikely. Nagelsmann, described as having a "footballing father figure" relationship with Voller, has weathered the scrutiny.
Germany's World Cup Progress
Germany's defeat to Ecuador came after they had already advanced, and Voller remains relaxed about the team's prospects. "The basic circumstances were different. For Ecuador, that was the game of the games of the last 20 or 30 years," he said. Germany faces Paraguay next, with Voller confident: "The team will give it their all on Monday."
