Overview
- Oliver Baumann said former coach Julian Nagelsmann apologised and that they spoke for almost an hour about Nagelsmann’s decision to strip him of the starting role before the World Cup.
- Baumann had started all six World Cup qualifiers and two warm-up matches but did not play at the finals after Manuel Neuer reversed his international retirement and reclaimed the No. 1 spot.
- Germany were eliminated in the round of 32 by Paraguay on penalties, the team’s first ever World Cup shoot-out defeat, a result that intensified scrutiny of pre-tournament selections.
- The German Football Association replaced Nagelsmann with Jürgen Klopp and Baumann is targeting the starting goalkeeper spot for Klopp’s first match against the Netherlands on September 24.
- Neuer has indicated he will step away from international football after the World Cup and expects to end his playing career when his club contract runs out in 2027, leaving the national role open to competition.