Per Mertesacker has been named the new managing director for sport at the German FA (DFB), succeeding Andreas Rettig on a contract that runs until the 2030 World Cup.
The former Germany international, who won the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, brings extensive experience in youth development to the role, having most recently headed up Arsenal's academy for several years, while also being a regular pundit on German television for some time. His appointment came on the same day that Jürgen Klopp was confirmed as the country's new head coach on a deal that also runs to the 2030 World Cup. Klopp has succeeded Julian Nagelsmann in the dugout following Germany's round of 32 exit at the World Cup. He has signed a four-year deal through to the end of the 2030 finals. It marks Klopp's first managerial role since leaving Liverpool in 2024, having served as Red Bull's head of global soccer since the start of last year.
Rettig's contract expires at the end of December following three years in the role. Mertesacker has also signed a deal through until the summer of 2030. He will succeed Andreas Rettig as the DFB's managing director for sport from January 1. The former centre-back, who won the World Cup with Germany as a player in 2014, will be responsible for the national teams and their academy.
When asked about Mertesacker’s impending appointment, DFB president Bernd Neuendorf said on Friday: “Per’s name was immediately on everyone’s lips, but the truth is that Andreas Rettig, Rudi Voller and I had been in talks with Per for a year and a half. “We started these talks very early on, and he indicated early on that he would be ready to take on this task.”
The defender also made 104 appearances for Germany and featured six times in their triumphant 2014 World Cup campaign. Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Max Dowman and Marli Salmon are among the standout players to come through Arsenal’s academy and feature for the first team in Mertesacker’s time as its manager.
Speaking following his appointment, Mertesacker explained: "I’m really looking forward to this new role and the responsibility that comes with it.
As well as confirming the appointment of Mertesacker, the DFB have also announced three members of Klopp's coaching staff. His former Liverpool coaches Peter Krawietz and Pep Lijnders will serve as assistants. They will be joined in the same role by former Borussia Dortmund and Germany midfielder Sven Bender. The two-time Bundesliga champion made 181 appearances for Dortmund during Klopp's time as manager.