Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann is facing growing pressure over his future after the national team's disappointing exit from the FIFA World Cup, with the German Football Federation (DFB) holding a special meeting on Thursday to review the campaign.
Nagelsmann met senior federation officials at the DFB headquarters to explain Germany's performance following Monday's penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay in the Round of 16.
The loss marked Germany's third consecutive early exit from a World Cup, adding to criticism of the team's recent performances despite entering the tournament with high expectations.
The 38-year-old coach has come under fire for a series of tactical decisions, inconsistent team selection and his handling of underperforming players. German media have also criticised his public communication and frequent changes in approach during the tournament.
Although Nagelsmann said immediately after Germany's elimination that he intended to remain in charge, DFB President Bernd Neuendorf later said the federation would carefully assess why the team failed to fulfil its potential and would not simply resume normal operations after such a disappointing campaign.
Germany, a four-time World Cup champion, had entered the tournament aiming to reclaim the title. After defeating tournament debutants Curaçao and narrowly overcoming Ivory Coast, the team lost its final group-stage match to Ecuador before being eliminated by Paraguay on penalties.
The shootout also drew scrutiny after several players reportedly declined captain Joshua Kimmich's request to take penalties. Defender Jonathan Tah eventually stepped forward but missed the decisive spot kick.
In a message posted on social media, Tah said he had repeatedly replayed the missed penalty in his mind but insisted he would not hesitate to take the responsibility again.
German media reported that Thursday's meeting lasted around three hours, during which Nagelsmann discussed tactical shortcomings and issues surrounding the team's atmosphere at its training base in Winston-Salem.
Nagelsmann remains under contract until the 2028 European Championship, but reports in Germany suggest federation officials have urged him to consider stepping down. A decision on his future is expected in the coming days.