Former Arsenal defender and current academy manager Per Mertesacker has reportedly been mentioned as a candidate for the vacant managing director role at Hannover 96, his boyhood club.
Despite the ongoing turmoil at the German side, the idea of Mertesacker stepping into the role has generated significant interest, though it remains unlikely given his deep commitment to Arsenal.
Per Mertesacker with Alexei Rojas signing his first professional contract with Arsenal (Photo via Arsenal.com)
Photo via Arsenal.com
Hannover 96 has been embroiled in a leadership crisis since the departure of Martin Kind as managing director. While Kind now chairs the club’s supervisory board, no permanent replacement has been found.
Amid this uncertainty, various names have surfaced as potential successors, including former Hannover sports director Jörg Schmadtke, ex-1. FC Köln executive Claus Horstmann, and Mertesacker.
Mertesacker, 40, holds legendary status at Hannover, where he began his professional career before moving on to Werder Bremen, Arsenal, and the German national team, with whom he won the 2014 World Cup. However, his current responsibilities as Arsenal’s academy manager and his role as a ZDF football expert make a return to Hannover improbable.
Speaking about the situation, Kind acknowledged the Mertesacker link but remained vague. “Yes, that’s right,” he said, confirming the name had been raised without delving further. The Arsenal academy head is reportedly fully committed to his London-based role, where he has overseen the development of young talents, including Bukayo Saka and Ethan Nwaneri.
Bukayo Saka signs a contract for Arsenal with Academy Manager Per Mertesacker. Arsenal Training Ground. London Colney, Herts, 11/9/18. Credit : Arsenal Football Club / David Price.
Bukayo Saka signs a contract for Arsenal with Academy Manager Per Mertesacker. Arsenal Training Ground. London Colney, Herts, 11/9/18. Credit : Ars…
Jörg Schmadtke, another name floated as a possible candidate, has already met with Kind. While Schmadtke’s familiarity with Hannover—he was the club’s sports director from 2009 to 2013—makes him a plausible option, he too appears hesitant to re-enter the fray. Schmadtke cited a desire not to disrupt the club’s current sporting setup, led by Marcus Mann, who has been holding things together as head of sports.
Horstmann, a seasoned football executive with a background at 1. FC Köln, was briefly considered as a temporary solution. However, after assessing the chaotic state of Hannover’s management structure, he declined the role.
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