Uli Hoeneß backs Germany and Arsenal legend Per Mertesacker for key DFB role | OneFootball

Big changes are expected at the German Football Association (DFB) following Germany’s underwhelming World Cup round of 32 exit against Paraguay.

Julian Nagelsmann has already left his role as head coach, with Jürgen Klopp expected to take over, but that's not the only change being planned.

At least one other key position needs to be filled, with Andreas Rettig stepping down as the DFB’s managing director for sport at the end of the year.

According to Bild, one candidate for the role is former Germany and Arsenal star Per Mertesacker.

Mertesacker served as Arsenal’s academy director for eight years before voluntarily leaving the Gunners earlier this summer. He has since made it clear that he would be open to taking on a role at the DFB, telling ZDF:

“At some point, working for the DFB and giving something back to German football, which I owe so much to, appeals to me. I would of course be available for that.”

For Bayern Munich supervisory board member Uli Hoeneß, the 41-year-old would be an ideal fit for the DFB.

“Everything Per Mertesacker says on television has substance. He is never offensive, yet he remains critical. If you have been at Arsenal for eight years, you have to be capable – and that is exactly what we need now,” Hoeneß told Bild.

“As a former professional, he has great international experience. He has always shown how well he can deal with people. And he would never do it for the money, but because he is motivated by the challenge of building something and moving it forward with his passion. Those are exactly the kind of people we need now – people who have worked their way up and are prepared to work hard,” he added.

Mertesacker made 104 appearances for Germany during his career and was part of the squad that won the 2014 World Cup.