Per Mertesacker lands new role after Arsenal exit | OneFootball

Per Mertesacker is set to become the German Football Association’s new Managing Director of Sport, the DFB themselves have confirmed.

Photo via Arsenal Academy on Twitter

The German Football Association have officially announced that former Arsenal defender and academy manager Per Mertesacker will become the DFB‘s new Managing Director of Sport at the start of next year.

Mertesacker will replace Andreas Rettig, whose existing deal lasts until the end of 2026. The former Arsenal man will be responsible for both the national team and their youth system.

Arsenal Head of Coach and Player Development Marcel Lucassen and Academy Manager Per Mertesacker during the The Checkatrade Trophy group match betw…

“I am very much looking forward to this new task and the responsibility that comes with it,” Mertesacker said. “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 honor for me to be able 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 spell back in north London as the head of the club’s academy.

The Gunners subsequently confirmed that Mertesacker would be replaced by Pascal De Maesschalck, though the role is now referred to as ‘Academy Director’ rather than ‘Academy Manager’.

De Maesschalck left his role with Strasbourg to join Arsenal, having also previously worked as the academy manager at Club Brugge and AS Monaco.

With Arsenal finding a replacement and Mertesacker landing a new job, both parties are ready to move forwards.

Arsenal Academy manager Per Mertesacker