Mertesacker appointed Managing Director for Sport by DFB
Written by
Simon Austin
July 24, 2026
Former Arsenal Academy Manager Per Mertesacker has been appointed Managing Director for Sport for the German Football Federation (DFB).
The 2014 World Cup winner, who left Arsenal after eight years at the end of last season, will begin his new role on January 1st 2027. He will be responsible for the national teams and the DFB Academy and succeeds Andreas Rettig, whose contract expires at the end of 2026.
DFB President Bernd Neuendorf said: “Per Mertesacker is one of the outstanding figures in German football. As a player, he was a key part of a highly successful national team for more than a decade before going on to lead one of Europe’s most prestigious youth academies.
“His expertise, clear principles and leadership qualities make him an excellent choice for the position of managing director for sport. I’m delighted that we have been able to bring him in as Andreas Rettig’s successor to help drive the DFB’s sporting development forward.”
Mertesacker added: “I’m really looking forward to this new role and the responsibility that comes with it. I have always remained in contact with the DFB, even after my international career ended, so returning in this role is something very special for me. German football has enormous potential.
“With humility, a willingness to work hard and the necessary patience, we want to develop talented players and people who can make the difference.
“Together, we want to create an environment in which players can take responsibility, grow through challenges and fulfil their potential, from grassroots level all the way through to the national teams. It’s an honour for me to have the opportunity to help shape the DFB’s future and contribute to its continued development.”
Eight Years Shaping Arsenal’s Academy
Mertesacker, who won 104 caps for Germany, joined Arsenal from Werder Bremen in August 2011 and went on to make 156 Premier League appearances and win three FA Cups for the club before retiring as a player in 2018.
He moved straight into the Academy Manager role that summer, a transition that then-manager Arsene Wenger backed. The Frenchman described Mertesacker as “an exceptional character” and a “great example for young players” who would be “an inspirational figure for everyone connected with the Academy.”
Over eight years in charge, Mertesacker built the ‘Strong Young Gunners’ vision at the Academy, overseeing a period in which a number of homegrown players broke into the first team, Bukayo Saka being the clearest example, while others went on to build careers elsewhere in the game.
Arsenal finished second, behind only Chelsea, in TGG’s Academy Productivity Rankings for 2024/25, Mertesacker’s final season in the role.
Announcing his departure, Mertesacker said: “Arsenal is and will always be a very special club to me, so this was a difficult decision. 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.”
Mertesacker was succeeded as Arsenal Academy Director by Pascal De Maesschalck, who joined from Strasbourg in August 2025 following a search led by Sporting Director Andrea Berta. The Belgian previously spent three years as Director of Youth Development at AS Monaco after a decade as Head of Academy at Club Brugge.
Watch Mertesacker at TGG’s Youth Development Webinar
Mertesacker has appeared at TGG events on several occasions, presenting at TGG’s 2021 Youth Development Webinar alongside Nick Cox, Michael Hamilton, Gregg Broughton and Ged Roddy MBE, and speaking at TGG Live in 2023.
His Webinar session is available to watch for free for TGG Members. This is one of 14 Webinars and more than 100 presentations in the TGG Members Area.
Find out how to become a TGG Member HERE.
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