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So what has happened to the Germany we have all been used to?

Former Germany midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger told BBC Sport: "For a long time, player development in Germany has been all about passing, style of play and being tactically innovative but there's one element that maybe we didn't focus on enough, and that is having a bit of edge.

"It doesn't mean we just launch long balls, win headers and win ugly – or go back to the days when we would get to the final and nobody kind of knew how, beyond the fact it was because we're Germany.

"But at the same time, we've lost that aura that made teams fear us. Other teams respect us but they don't fear us any more. We're no longer as difficult to beat, and we lack the physical presence we once had."

He continued: "For many years, Spain have been the team everyone wants to copy. It took many years but when we won the World Cup in 2014 we had great players but also a winning ethos. Now it seems we just focus on nice football.

"We need to start addressing this at academy level. What is football all about? It's about winning, of course. This team wanted to win, but how do you win? By having an edge.

"The best example is Argentina. They have that perfect combination of being a team who can be nasty to play against but at the same time they have players who can create something out of nothing.

"Of course, we don't have a Lionel Messi and not every team can play like Argentina or France. But we should be closer to where those teams are."

Joe Rindl
BBC Sport

Thanks Jude.

You step away and suddenly Germany don't have a manager.

What were the chances? They've only had three permanent bosses since 2006.

Jude Winter

Change of management on our live text too. Handing back to you, Joe.

Beat Curacao 7-1 - Group E

Beat Ivory Coast 2-1 - Group E

Lost to Ecuador 2-1 - Group E

Lost to Paraguay 4-3 on penalties (1-1 AET) - Last 32

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Julian Nagelsmann - 2023-26

Hansi Flick - 2021-23

Joachim Low - 2006-21

Jurgen Klinsmann - 2004-06

Rudi Voller - 2000-04

Using the poll above, have your say on whether the Germany job is a good move for Jurgen Klopp.

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Here is what Julian Nagelsmann said after the round of 32 defeat to Paraguay...

That decision has proven to be the sliding doors moment for Nagelsmann and his time as Germany boss.

However, Fifa said coaches and players were told before the World Cup that referees will punish the type of foul that meant Germany's extra-time goal against Paraguay was ruled out.

Jonathan Tah thought he had given Germany a 2-1 lead but following an intervention by the video assistant referee (VAR), referee Jalal Jayed disallowed the goal because Waldemar Anton was adjudged to have fouled Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill.

Pierluigi Collina, Fifa's head of referees, has said officials had been told to punish incidents when players try to block opponents and make no attempt to play the ball, especially when goalkeepers are involved.

"Although keeping a position is not a foul per se, when an attacking player is not interested in the ball and deliberately moves, even marginally, with the clear intention of obstructing opponents' movement and prevents him from defending, then referees, and VAR when needed, should carefully analyse the incident and intervene," Collina said.

"This is especially the case when the tactic aims to prevent the opposing goalkeeper from being able to defend the goal.

"Coaches and players were informed, so it should come as no surprise that referees will punish these fouls."

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Immediately after the game against Paraguay, Nagelsmann was repeatedly asked about his future and said he was "not someone who runs away" but admitted he would not be popular among the German supporters.

"If we're going to do a survey today in Germany, people are not going to speak about me positively obviously," he added. "I did feel the support in the stadium. I don't think everyone in Germany will agree with me staying on and continuing as manager of the team.

"I'd like to praise all the German fans who came to the stadium. I expected a totally different reaction from them but it was amazing and impressive the way they supported us, even after the defeat.

"I'm not going to step back only because we are eliminated. If the DFB [German football association] want me to continue, I am going to continue. I know how the industry works and a lot of people now want me to leave. I want to continue if the German FA wants me to."

Germany fans were calling for a new coach following their shock penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay.

Full statement from the DFB, following the decision to let go of Nagelsmann: "The shareholders' representatives and the supervisory board of DFB GmbH & Co. KG today unanimously decided, on the proposal of DFB President Bernd Neuendorf, to immediately terminate the contractual relationship with national team coach Julian Nagelsmann.

"Julian Nagelsmann had already requested to be relieved of his duties the previous day in a confidential meeting with the association's leadership following the disappointing outcome of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

"This request has now been granted by the shareholders' representatives and the supervisory board.  

"Bernd Neuendorf says: "The German Football Association expressly thanks Julian Nagelsmann for his work since September 2023. He is characterized by a high level of commitment and extraordinary ambition. Julian Nagelsmann is also an extremely responsible and sincere person whom we all value."

"Special thanks go to the fans"

Julian Nagelsmann explains: "I've done a lot of thinking in the days since our elimination and have consulted with trusted individuals both personally and within the federation.

"The decision was anything but easy for me. My top priority has always been the team 's success. After such a bitter disappointment, they deserve the chance for a fresh start. I want to thank my coaching staff, the support team, and everyone at the federation who supported us, especially the players with whom I had the privilege of working.

"A special thank you also goes to the fans. You carried us, you trusted us, you gave us energy, even during difficult times. It truly pains me that we disappointed you and couldn't give you any more memorable nights of football at this World Cup. You deserved so much more!"

Sporting director Rudi Völler said: "After the disappointing World Cup exit for everyone, Julian's decision deserves our respect. Because he's taking responsibility where he'd like to continue shaping things, and putting the national team as a whole above himself.

"Of course, we all would have liked a different outcome to the tournament and a more convincing performance from our team. But Julian is and remains an excellent coach, and I'm convinced he'll continue on his successful path. I'm sincerely grateful to Julian for the trusting and friendly cooperation."

DFB leadership seeks talks with Klopp

"In addition to national coach Julian Nagelsmann, his two assistants Benjamin Glück and Benjamin Hübner will also be leaving the DFB. The DFB would like to express its sincere gratitude for their commitment. 

"Regarding the appointment of a new coach, the DFB leadership will now seek talks with Jürgen Klopp . He has already signaled his general willingness to take on the position. 

"Furthermore, during today's meeting of the shareholders' representatives and the supervisory board, sporting director Andreas Rettig announced that he will not be extending his contract, which expires at the end of the year, for personal reasons. He had already informed the DFB president of this before the start of the current FIFA World Cup."

In the DFB's statement Julian Nagelsmann said: "I've done a lot of thinking in the days since our elimination and have consulted with trusted individuals both personally and within the federation.

"The decision was anything but easy for me. My top priority has always been the team's success. After such a bitter disappointment, they deserve the chance for a fresh start.

"I want to thank my coaching staff, the support team, and everyone at the federation who supported us, especially the players with whom I had the privilege of working.

"A special thank you also goes to the fans. You carried us, you trusted us, you gave us energy, even during difficult times.

"It truly pains me that we disappointed you and couldn't give you any more memorable nights of football at this World Cup. You deserved so much more!"

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A statement from DFB reads: "Regarding the appointment of a new coach, the DFB leadership will now seek talks with Jürgen Klopp. He has already signaled his general willingness to take on the position. 

"Furthermore, during today's meeting of the shareholders' representatives and the supervisory board, sporting director Andreas Rettig announced that he will not be extending his contract, which expires at the end of the year, for personal reasons.

"He had already informed the DFB president of this before the start of the current FIFA World Cup."

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Julian Nagelsmann has resigned from his position as Germany manager after the team’s shock Round‑of‑32 World Cup exit to Paraguay.

Nagelsmann, a Bundesliga winner in charge of Bayern Munich in 2022, took over the national team in 2023, but they only reached the quarter-finals of the 2024 Euros they hosted.

Their World Cup campaign in North America started well, thrashing newcomers Curacao 7-1 and then coming from behind to defeat Ivory Coast 2-1.

They lost 2-1 to Ecuador in their final group game - although they had already guaranteed top spot - but the manner of the loss to Paraguay left him fighting to keep his job.

He was contracted to stay as Germany manager until the next Euros in 2028, but Germany are now on the look out for a new boss to take charge.

There are plenty of calls for ex-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp to replace him.

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Before we move on, we have breaking news that Julian Nagelsmann is no longer the Germany boss.

It was a dominant display from Spain, who showed here what they are capable of, albeit against a disappointingly blunt Austria.

Their dominance was reflected by tallying up 23 shots, 2.84 expected goals and 51 touches in the opposition box.

In contrast, Austria did not even have a shot on target.

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