German FA reportedly appoints Per Mertesacker as sports director

Former World Cup winner Per Mertesacker is reportedly poised to take on a significant leadership role within German football, with media outlets indicating he will become the new sports director for the German Football Association (DFB).

According to reports from Sky, ntv, and RTL, Mertesacker is slated to begin his tenure on January 1, 2027, and will sign a long-term contract. This move aligns with the DFB's stated intention to integrate former top players into responsible positions within the organization. Andreas Rettig, the current holder of the position, is expected to brief Mertesacker in the coming months.

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One must give the DFB credit: contact with me has never broken off.

Mertesacker, 41, recently served as a ZDF expert during the World Cup and previously headed the youth academy at English club Arsenal until the end of last season. He had previously expressed interest in a role at the DFB, noting that communication with the association had remained consistent. His appointment is expected to be confirmed during the introduction of the new national coach, Jürgen Klopp.

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Recently, a bit more dynamic has come into it.