Hummels calls for coaching change after Germany's early World Cup exit

Hummels did not hold back in his assessment of Nagelsmann's behavior in the aftermath of the shootout defeat. He described the head coach's public reaction as "zu schmallippig" and added that Nagelsmann had at times come across as "manchmal ein bisschen patzig". The criticism went beyond body language: Hummels pointed to a deeper issue in how Nagelsmann communicates on the biggest stage. "Ich glaube, das ist eine große Baustelle, die er auch in den nächsten Jahren für sein Trainer-Dasein verbessern muss - vor allem auf so einer großen Bühne, wenn du Nationaltrainer bist", Hummels told the broadcaster.

The former Borussia Dortmund defender, who was left out of Nagelsmann's squad for the home European Championship in 2024, acknowledged that his own history with the coach colors his view. "Da ist nicht alles sehr fair und ehrlich mit mir gelaufen", Hummels said, while conceding that he was "in eine emotionale Richtung gedrängt" because of his past with Nagelsmann. He suggested the two had never sat down to clear the air: "Das müssen wir, glaube ich, irgendwann mal in einem privaten Gespräch ausräumen."

Shootout sequence under the microscope

Hummels also scrutinized the way the penalty shootout itself was handled. Defender Jonathan Tah, he noted, was forced to take Germany's sixth penalty as the first of his professional career. "[Weil] alle anderen nicht mehr wollen, ist leider bezeichnend", Hummels said, suggesting that the sequence reflected a wider lack of conviction in the squad. "Das lässt sich nicht von der Hand weisen", meinte Hummels. He added that in the immediate aftermath of elimination a coach can rarely get everything right: "Das fand ich tatsächlich ein bisschen schade."

The demand for change lands at a delicate moment for the DFB, which had appointed Nagelsmann to lead the team into the World Cup after the disappointment of Euro 2024. With the tournament now over and the next major cycle already looming, the federation must weigh Hummels' critique against the broader picture of the campaign. Hummels framed his remarks as an honest reading of the situation rather than a personal vendetta, but he made clear that, on his reading of the facts, the coaching position needs to be reconsidered.

What comes next for the DFB

For now, neither the DFB nor Nagelsmann has publicly responded to Hummels' remarks. The discussion is certain to dominate the German sports agenda in the days ahead, with former national team manager Rudi Völler among those whose views are likely to be sought in the coming weeks. Hummels, meanwhile, insisted he was speaking as a concerned observer rather than a rival candidate for the job.