Per Mertesacker has been appointed the German Football Association’s new Managing Director of Sport, overseeing the country’s men’s and women’s national teams across both youth and senior level.
The 41-year-old will succeed Andreas Rettig in January after stepping down as Arsenal’s Academy Manager at the end of the 2025/26 season.
Signed by Arsene Wenger on transfer deadline day in August 2011 to bolster Arsenal’s defence, Mertesacker went on to make 221 appearances for the club, captained the side and lifted three FA Cups before retiring in 2018.
Rather than leave the club, he moved straight into the role of Academy Manager. It was a bold appointment by Wenger and then-chief executive Ivan Gazidis, entrusting a recently retired 34-year-old with one of the club’s most important long-term positions. Mertesacker quickly justified that faith, becoming a steady presence as Arsenal navigated one of the most turbulent periods in their modern history following Wenger’s departure. Under his guidance, the Hale End pathway continued to flourish, producing a stream of first-team talent while reinforcing the ‘Strong Young Gunners’ values and standards that have become synonymous with the academy.
His decision to leave Arsenal, announced back in January, came as a surprise to many supporters. Even so, there was always a sense the DFB would eventually come calling.
Some reports in Germany claim contact between the two parties has been ongoing for the past 18 months, while DFB president Bernd Neuendorf said earlier this week: “From the beginning, we were always clear that if there was a position to be filled in the association’s sporting department, then Per was an interesting person for us.”
Personable, thoughtful and widely respected, Mertesacker arrives with an impressive CV that combines elite playing experience with eight years in football development. Add a World Cup winner’s medal from 2014, and it’s easy to see why the DFB views him as the right man to help shape the next chapter of German football.
The appointment comes at a significant moment. Germany are once again reflecting on another disappointing World Cup campaign, with Julian Nagelsmann departing as men’s team coach following the last-32 penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay. His replacement, Jürgen Klopp, has been tasked with leading the senior side into a new era ahead of Euro 2028, while Mertesacker will be responsible for overseeing the wider sporting structure that supports both the men’s and women’s programmes.
Rettig is expected to spend the remainder of the year handing over responsibilities before Mertesacker officially takes up the role in January.
On his new gig, Per said: “I am very much looking forward to this new task and the responsibility that comes with it. My connection to the DFB never broke off, even after the end of my national team career. That’s why it’s something special for me to return in this role. German football has enormous potential.
“With humility, the will to work hard, and the necessary patience, we want to foster the talents and personalities who make the difference. Together, we want to create an environment in which players can take on responsibility, grow through challenges, and develop their full potential – from the grassroots level all the way to the national teams. It is an honour for me to be able to help shape and further develop the DFB on this path.”
Good luck, Per!