​Former Germany stars Stefan Effenberg and Pierre Littbarski are backing Per Mertesacker, the 2014 World Cup champion, to join a revamped leadership setup at the German Football Federation (DFB) after three consecutive early exits from World Cups. With Jürgen Klopp ready to step in as coach and DFB managing director Andreas Rettig set to depart at year’s end, Mertesacker is emerging as a strong candidate for a key role—either as Klopp’s top assistant or in a senior position within the federation.
Littbarski, the 1990 World Cup winner, told Sport1’s Doppelpass on Sunday that he could easily envision Mertesacker taking on responsibilities within the DFB, praising him for his successful stint at Arsenal. The former Arsenal youth boss, who retired from football, is currently available outside of his duties as a World Cup pundit for ZDF. His composed on-screen presence and extensive knowledge of youth development are viewed as crucial assets that could help Germany break out of its current stagnation. Mertesacker has indicated that he would be open to discussing a possible role with the DFB.
Effenberg echoed the sentiment, stating, “I think Mertesacker is a great idea. It makes sense. You need more expertise in that unit. That is very important for building from the bottom up.” His endorsement aligns with a broader call for stabilizing the federation’s pipeline and strengthening the structure below the senior team. The idea of bringing in Mertesacker has also received support from Uli Hoeness, the Bayern Munich honorary president and 1974 World Cup winner, who has previously publicly backed the idea of Mertesacker joining the DFB.
Mertesacker, now 41, has been working away from the front line of professional football since ending his playing career. He led Arsenal’s youth academy for eight years and, since retiring, has focused on punditry with ZDF. While his day-to-day responsibilities in football management have been limited, his calm demeanor, leadership experience, and Deep knowledge of youth development are seen as significant strengths that could help Germany reverse its current dip in performance. He has said he is open to talks with the DFB about a potential role.
The call to recruit Mertesacker comes as Klopp appears to be the preferred choice to lead the team, while Rettig’s departure could create an opportunity for a broader overhaul within the federation’s leadership. The DFB’s leadership overhaul aims to restore stability and inject fresh expertise into the organization, from the youth level up to the national team. Mertesacker’s background in youth development and his hands-on experience at Arsenal’s academy are viewed as particularly valuable for rebuilding Germany’s football structure from the ground up, aligning with the federation’s long-term ambitions.
As discussions continue, Mertesacker remains open to exploring the opportunity, signaling a potential new chapter for the former defender. If brought on board, he could contribute to both the strategic direction of the national team with Klopp by his side and the ongoing reform efforts within the DFB’s organizational framework, focusing on nurturing talent at grassroots levels, improving coaching standards, and ensuring a sustainable pipeline to the senior squad. The conversations reflect a broader desire to consolidate expertise within the federation and to create a robust foundation capable of delivering Germany back to the upper echelons of world football.