Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann has insisted he has no intention of walking away after his side's stunning World Cup exit to Paraguay, despite mounting pressure following another disappointing tournament.
The four-time world champions saw their hopes of lifting the trophy ended in dramatic fashion after losing on penalties in the last 32, capping another miserable campaign for one of international football's traditional heavyweights.
Nagelsmann faced reporters several hours after the defeat in Boston, where speculation over his future had already begun to gather pace.
Yet the 38-year-old made it clear he remains determined to stay in charge if the German Football Association retains faith in him.
"I am not someone who runs away," Nagelsmann declared.
"This is not the first time this has happened, and there are some things about today that need to be changed. But if the DFB wants me to continue I am going to continue.
"I know the mechanics of football, I know how the industry works. I know a lot of people will want me to leave but I would love to continue if the football association wants me to."
Germany had travelled to the knockout clash after suffering defeat to Ecuador in their final group-stage match and were expected to overcome a Paraguay side that had progressed as the third-placed team from Group D.
Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann has insisted he has no intention of walking away after his side's stunning World Cup exit to Paraguay, despite mounting pressure following another disappointing tournament
|REUTERS
Instead, they laboured throughout the contest before crashing out in a penalty shootout, leaving Nagelsmann reflecting on another underwhelming tournament.
Across his two major competitions in charge, Germany have managed just one knockout victory, which came against Denmark at Euro 2024.
The former Bayern Munich coach revealed he had already spoken with senior figures from the DFB following the defeat, though he acknowledged no immediate decision had been made over his position.
"They have talked to me gently, they comforted me," he explained.
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Every team to have won the World Cup | GETTY/GB NEWS"They're not going to offer me an extension of my contract two minutes after I lost this match. They are not going to talk just after the defeat."
Nagelsmann admitted he understood many supporters would now question whether he should remain at the helm, conceding Germany had failed to produce the performances expected on the biggest stage.
"If we did a survey today in Germany people would not speak positively about me today," he said.
"But in football you win some and you lose some. We haven't really done much in this tournament to make people celebrate, but I have a lot of confidence that we could have done a better job.
"I don't think that everyone in Germany will agree with me staying on as manager of the Mannschaft.
"It was very difficult because they were ultra-defensive. We didn't give enough. When you exit the World Cup after you play Paraguay then it is very bitter. If you do not score many goals then it is not enough. It is very hurtful."
Paraguay were impressive as they overcame Germany to reach the round of 16 at the World Cup
|REUTERS
While Germany were left to pick up the pieces, the mood inside the Paraguay camp could not have been more different.
The South American nation celebrated one of the biggest victories in its football history, with the country's president declaring Tuesday a national holiday following the famous triumph.
Head coach Gustavo Alfaro hailed his squad as his "26 warriors" after reaching the last 16, where Paraguay will now meet either France or Sweden in Philadelphia on Independence Day.
The showdown promises another memorable occasion as Paraguay attempt to extend their remarkable World Cup adventure.