Arsenal academy manager Per Mertesacker graduated alongside Norwich City's Jay Marshall in a recent technical directorship course (Image: PA)
Arsenal academy manager Per Mertesacker graduated alongside Norwich City's Jay Marshall in a recent technical directorship course (Image: PA)
Norwich City head of academy recruitment Jay Marshall has graduated alongside Arsenal academy chief Per Mertesacker in a technical directorship course for the world's hottest prospects.
Marshall, Mertesacker and 14 others completed the programme, run by England Football Learning, earlier this month after 18 months of tutelage and collaboration with fellow professionals in the sport.
The group met 22 times during the course, while also completing a study visit to New York City and benefiting from a one-to-one business mentor.
Marshall has been working for the Canaries for nearly 14 years, joining as a London development centre lead in August 2011. He was promoted to head of London recruitment a year later, taking on his current role in March 2019.
Phil Church, senior game coach development lead at the FA, said: "These courses are crucial to stay connected with the game at the elite technical leadership level. So from our perspective, to continue to grow that community of practice is really important, and this course is part of that.
"Additionally, the opportunity to impact and influence some of the highest levels of the game and support and develop some of the brightest technical leaders we've got is also of real importance, and for us to continue with the success going forward."
Mertesacker, who worked with City's former interim head coach Jack Wilshere when he was the Gunners' under-18s boss, added: "It’s an absolute privilege to be a part of this programme, I’ve really been put through the paces and been able to explore my capabilities.
"Coming from being an ex-player then coach, this experience has revealed what it’s like to operate at that level of elite environments.
"One key learning I’ll take away from this is that football is full of good people who support each other. It’s been amazing to connect with like-minded colleagues and learn through shared experiences."