Mertesacker to step down as Arsenal academy boss | OneFootball

Arsenal have confirmed academy manager Per Mertesacker will step down and leave the club at the end of the season.

The decision was announced in a club statement on Monday, with Mertesacker explaining that he felt it was time to “explore something new”.

The former Germany international has held the role since retiring from playing in 2018 and also spent a brief period assisting interim head coach Freddie Ljungberg before Mikel Arteta was appointed later that year.

A three-time FA Cup winner during his playing career at Arsenal, Mertesacker has been a key figure in the club’s recent history, overseeing the academy during a period of significant transition.

“Arsenal is and will always be a very special club to me, so this was a difficult decision,” Mertesacker told the club’s official website.

“I am very thankful for the trust the club put in me when transitioning from a first-team player directly into the role as head of academy. Now it is time for me to move on and explore something new and push myself even further.

“I remain focused on finishing the season strongly, continuing to nurture and develop our young talent and support a seamless transition until my very last day with the club.”

Arsenal chief executive Richard Garlick added: “We support Per’s decision to pursue something new, but we will be incredibly sad to see him leave at the end of the season.”