Per Mertesacker Appointed Managing Director of Sport for DFB
Photo via Arsenal Academy on Twitter
The German Football Association has officially announced that former Arsenal defender and academy manager Per Mertesacker will become the DFB‘s new Managing Director of Sport starting next year.
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Mertesacker will take over from Andreas Rettig, whose contract runs until the end of 2026. He will be tasked with overseeing both the national team and the youth system.
Arsenal Head of Coach and Player Development Marcel Lucassen and Academy Manager Per Mertesacker during the Checkatrade Trophy group match between…
“I am very much looking forward to this new task and the responsibility that comes with it,” Mertesacker stated. “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.
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“Together, we want to create an environment in which players can take on responsibility, grow through challenges, and develop their full potential – from grassroots level all the way to the national teams. It is an honor for me to help shape and further develop the DFB on this path.”
Photo via Monaco Life
Arsenal confirmed earlier this year that Mertesacker would leave his role at the club at the end of the 2025/26 campaign, following an eight-year stint in north London as the head of the club’s academy.
The Gunners subsequently confirmed that Mertesacker would be succeeded by Pascal De Maesschalck, although the role will now be known as ‘Academy Director’ rather than ‘Academy Manager’.
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De Maesschalck departed his position with Strasbourg to join Arsenal, having previously held the academy manager role at Club Brugge and AS Monaco.
With Arsenal securing a replacement and Mertesacker preparing for his new position, both parties are poised to move forward.
Arsenal Academy manager Per Mertesacker