Mertesacker to step down as Arsenal Academy Manager

At the time, Manager Arsene Wenger described Mertesacker as “an exceptional character” and “great example for young players” who would be “an inspirational figure for everyone connected with the Academy.”

As Academy Manager, Mertesacker installed the vision of creating ‘Strong Young Gunners’ and several young players went on to make their mark with Arsenal’s first team on his watch (Bukayo Saka being the flagbearer), while others forged successful careers at other clubs.

Arsenal were second in TGG’s Academy Productivity Rankings for 2024/25, behind only Chelsea.

In statement announcing his impending exit on Arsenal’s official website, Mertesacker said: “Now it is time for me to move on and explore something new and push myself even further.”

He added: “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.  

“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.”

Richard Garlick, Arsenal’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “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.

“We were fortunate to have retained Per as Academy Manager once he finished his playing career with us in 2018.  He understands what Arsenal stands for and this has been a constant in his leadership – inspiring our Academy coaches, staff and young players in an Arsenal way and giving so many an opportunity to develop and shine.  

“We’re happy that Per remains in role until the end of the season whilst we focus on our succession plan. We continue in our pursuit of winning major trophies with a sustained focus and investment in our Academy.”

Mertesacker presented at TGG’s 2021 Youth Development Webinar, which is available for purchase or for free to TGG Members, and at TGG Live 2023.

Arsenal’s former U15/16 Lead Dan Micciche also spoke about the influence of his boss on Episode #21 of the TGG Podcast in 2021.

“We are very fortunate to have a leader here who is extremely humble and who practices what he preaches in terms of the values he wants for the Academy,” Micciche said. 

“He’s a fantastic role model. He does remind me a lot of my time working with Gareth Southgate at the FA – both have been there, seen it, done it, but you’d never know it. You’d only find out about his experiences by chance or if you really probed him.

“That shows fantastic humility, but it’s down to us to try and draw knowledge from him. I think he’s been very strategic in the time I’ve been at the club, in terms of what he’s trying to achieve and his vision and mission.

“Per takes his time in making decisions, but you know that when he does communicate them – in terms of the direction and methodology and expectations and behaviours he expects – that they’ve been well thought through and are clear.”