Nagelsmann accused of 'rarely watching matches' after Germany's surprise elimination

The surprise elimination of Germany against Paraguay (1-1, defeat on penalties) in the round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup triggered a round of criticism against Julian Nagelsmann. Former German international Didi Hamann pointed the finger at the coach after Germany's first defeat on penalties in its history.

The sporting facts are clear: Julio Enciso gave Paraguay the lead just before half-time, Kai Havertz equalized at the start of the second half, then no goal was scored in overtime – a potential goal from Jonathan Tah having been canceled after VAR intervention. The penalty shootout turned into a nightmare for Germany: Havertz missed his entry shot, Joshua Kimmich and Jamal Musiala managed theirs, Nadiem Amiri too, but Nick Woltemade and Jonathan Tah then failed, sealing the German elimination in Boston.

For Hamann, the responsibility lies with the coach. “I think heart and courage comes from team spirit, from being together, from knowing that you can trust your teammates — that they are there for you when you need them,” he told RTE. “I feel like under this manager that’s never really been the case. There were some good performances, but on average it was disappointing. It was like that at the Euro, like that in qualifying, and like that at this World Cup. »

The former midfielder was more direct about Nagelsmann's working methods: “We always talk about the atmosphere and the spirit in the group. It's good to say it, you have to show it. Words aren't enough, and I was never convinced that this was a united team... and honestly, that's the manager's fault. »

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Hamann then accused Nagelsmann of not observing players enough at club level, citing several concrete examples: “He's a guy who rarely watches matches. He never went to Milan to watch Yann Bisseck; he should have taken him to the World Cup. He has never been to Brentford in two and a half years to see Kevin Schade, who scored 10 goals last season and 10 the previous one. In the Bundesliga, he watches maybe one or two matches a month. »

He also criticized the coach for not having traveled for international meetings likely to be useful for the analysis of future opponents: the African Cup of Nations in January, the Club World Cup, or the presence on site of other coaches such as Roberto Martínez (Ivory Coast), Thomas Tuchel (England) or Didier Deschamps (France). “That’s where I have no sympathy for him. He and the team got what they deserve, and they are going home tomorrow,” concluded Hamann.

These criticisms come after a long period of questions for the Mannschaft: apart from a semi-final at Euro 2016, the performances of the selection since the world coronation of 2014 have fallen short of expectations, and the elimination in the quarterfinals at Euro 2024 at home under Nagelsmann had already raised doubts.

Despite the pressure, Julian Nagelsmann, 38, has ruled out any resignation. At the ZDF microphone, he declared: “I am available if the DFB wishes. If the DFB doesn't want it, they have to tell me. I'm not the type to run away, out of the question. If the DFB wishes, then I will prepare for the European Championship and the Nations League. »

Germany is therefore returning earlier than expected from the 2026 World Cup, and the federation will have to quickly look into the future of its coach and the methods of preparing a team which has not been able to find the continuity hoped for.