'I'm not someone who runs away,' coach says; Germany fall to Paraguay on penalties

Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann looks dejected after his side's penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay in their round of 32 match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on Tuesday. [AFP]
Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann looks dejected after his side's penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay in their round of 32 match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on Tuesday. [AFP]

Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann, 38, said he has no intention of stepping down after the team's round of 32 exit at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Germany, one of the tournament favorites, drew 1-1 with Paraguay after 120 minutes of extra time Tuesday at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, before losing 4-3 on penalties to crash out in the round of 32.

The result was a bitter blow for a side that had set its sights on a title after back-to-back group-stage exits at the 2018 World Cup in Russia and the 2022 edition in Qatar — both coming after Germany's triumph at the 2014 tournament in Brazil.

Speaking to German broadcaster ZDF after the match, Nagelsmann made clear he would not walk away. "I'm not someone who runs away," he said.

"I want to continue in this role, but I cannot always decide everything on my own," he said. "If the German Football Association wants me, I will prepare for the European Championship and the Nations League." He added: "I will not resign. If the association no longer wants me, then I will leave."


yjc@heraldcorp.com