Per Mertesacker appointed managing director for sport at German FA (DFB)
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 41-year-old former Hannover, Werder Bremen and Arsenal centre-back will officially take up his new role on 1 January 2027.
Among Mertesacker's tasks are strengthening the links between the senior national team and the youth teams. 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.
