Jelili Gbadamosi
Former Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker has been appointed Managing Director for Sport at the German Football Association (DFB), marking his return to a key role in German football after leaving the Premier League club earlier this year.
The 41-year-old succeeds Andreas Rettig and has signed a contract that will keep him in the position until the 2030 FIFA World Cup. He is expected to officially assume office on January 1, 2027.
In his new role, Mertesacker will oversee the German national teams and the country’s football academy, with responsibility for driving the development of the sport at the national level.
His appointment comes just months after stepping down as Arsenal’s academy manager, where he spent several years helping to develop young players.
Mertesacker’s arrival also coincides with the appointment of former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp as Germany’s new head coach, as the DFB continues its restructuring ahead of future international competitions.
