Guardiola nominated to coach the German national team

Former Germany international Mats Hummels has said he can see Pep Guardiola as the German national team coach instead of Julian Nagelsmann, who is under immense pressure after Germany's early exit from the World Cup. Hummels, now a pundit for German network Magenta TV, said: "I think Guardiola and Jürgen Klopp would be suitable for any place – any team, any national team." He added: "From my point of view, they are the two best coaches of the last decade, indeed of the last 17 or 18 years, anywhere in the world, and that's why I can easily see either of them taking the job." The four-time World Cup champions were eliminated in the round of 32 after losing to Paraguay 4-3 on penalties, a result not much better than their group stage exits in the 2018 and 2022 editions. This performance sparked widespread debate about the future of coach Julian Nagelsmann, who is under contract with the German national team until 2028. Following the match, he confirmed that he had no intention of resigning and wished to continue in his role if he retained the federation's confidence. Calls for Jürgen Klopp to take over as national team coach have intensified, and Mats Hummels has made no secret of the fact that his former Borussia Dortmund coach is also his preferred choice. Hummels stated that Klopp's coaching style "is not about making things easy for everyone, but rather about each player giving their all for the team and its success." Hummels, who was part of Germany's 2014 World Cup-winning squad, added: "He can unite an entire country behind him again. He has all the necessary qualities." Former German captain Philipp Lahm also joined the chorus of critics, asserting that the coach's performance "warrants review and accountability." Lahm, who captained Germany to victory in the 2014 World Cup, wrote: "Of course, the national team coach bears responsibility for the elimination from the tournament." Lahm called on the German Football Association (DFB) to conduct a swift and thorough review of the reasons for the World Cup debacle. He said, "We all have the right to a quick analysis and clear answers, after which the DFB must make the appropriate decisions, whatever direction it chooses." The DFB had previously announced that it would decide Nagelsmann's future after the national team's return from the World Cup.