Life comes fast at Julian: on Tuesday he wanted to stay, on Friday - he's gone!

He was adamant he was there to stay, at least until the end of Euro 2028, despite a disappointing World Cup exit in the Round of 32. But that was Tuesday. On Friday, it's official - Julian Nagelsmann has resigned as Germany coach following a painful WC exit to Paraguay.

The 38-year-old Nagelsmann initially said after the defeat that he would not resign, but acknowledged that his future would be decided by the German Football Association (DFB).

"I won't step down," he said. "If the DFB wants me to continue, I'll continue, but I know how the industry works."

Clear message to Nagelsmann: Leave on your own or be sacked

The discussion continued the next day, DFB president Bernd Neuendorf said he would sit down with Nagelsmann to discuss the issue.

Neuendorf explained, "Over the coming days, we will take the time to discuss the reasons together and in a calm manner: why the team were unable to show the quality they have, and why they failed to live up to their own expectations and those of football fans across Germany. After a setback of this magnitude, and with the challenges ahead in mind, we cannot and will not simply move on as if nothing has happened."

Midnight bomb! Klopp ready to take charge of Germany after all

Amid this uncertainty, senior DFB officials have strongly encouraged Julian Nagelsmann to resign voluntarily to preserve his public image, but there is also a significant financial incentive behind the proposal. If the German Football Association were to dismiss him, it would reportedly have to pay around €14 million in compensation for the remaining two years of his contract - a substantial financial blow after missing out on FIFA prize money following Germany's early World Cup exit. By resigning instead, Nagelsmann is expected to receive a negotiated severance package of around €7 million, allowing the DFB to save much-needed funds.

Julian refuses to step down, Klopp answers the most important question

Although given a short period to consider the proposal and the chance to leave "with his head held high," Nagelsmann has already accepted that route, marking the end of his tenure.

Nagelsmann succeeded Hansi Flick as Germany coach in September 2023, leading them to the Euro 2024 quarter-finals. In January 2025, he signed a contract extension that should have kept him in charge until the conclusion of the next European Championship. Alas, it's time for his successor to step up, and as things stand, it can only be one - Jurgen Klopp.