Jurgen Klopp could face delay for dream job after Liverpool legend backtracks
Germany football chief Rudi Voller has doubled down on his support for Julian Nagelsmann after Germany's defeat to Ecuador, as Jurgen Klopp's hopes of landing the role appear further away than ever
Germany football chief Rudi Voller has reinforced his backing of Julian Nagelsmann following Germany's loss against Ecuador. Nagelsmann's position had faced scrutiny after Jurgen Klopp made light of the national coach's prospects, having been touted for the role himself.
However, the former Liverpool manager - who backtracked on his initial comments - may have overstepped the mark if he harboured ambitions for the Germany post. While Nagelsmann did not seek an apology from Red Bulls's global head of football, Germany's football leadership has made their stance on their man abundantly clear.
Despite the Ecuador setback, the national team's sporting director, Voller, was keen to champion Nagelsmann's credentials. The 66-year-old, who netted 47 goals in 90 caps, clearly shares a robust relationship with the head coach, even being characterised as a footballing father figure.
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"I'm not sitting here because I have to protect Julian," he 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.
"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."
There has been some disappointment following Germany's defeat to Ecuador, but Die Mannschaft had already secured their place in the knockout stages after wins over Ivory Coast and Curacao. Given the previous two World Cups where the team failed to progress from the group stage, Voller believes it is preferable to focus on the positives.
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"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.
"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."
Voller's defence follows his earlier public support for Nagelsmann. Earlier this month he announced that Nagelsmann would remain in post until after the Euros in 2028.
"The DFB is completely satisfied with how Julian is doing," he said. "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."
While that may well have been the DFB's stance, Klopp's quip appears to have prompted them to dig their heels in further.
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