Per Mertesacker, the former Arsenal defender, is appointed to a new role with the German Football Association (DFB). Multiple reports say the DFB has confirmed he will take up the position of Managing Director of Sport, following his exit from Arsenal. The announcement comes as the DFB prepares for a successor to Andreas Rettig, who currently holds the role. The sources also state that Mertesacker is set to begin his duties on 1 January 2027. His contract is reported to run until the 2030 World Cup, indicating a long-term commitment to the federation’s sporting planning. The appointment is framed as a transition within the DFB’s leadership structure, with responsibilities focused on sport-related matters. The news coverage does not indicate any immediate start date before 2027, and it does not provide further detail on his specific remit beyond the Managing Director of Sport title. Overall, the reports agree on the key terms: the role, the appointing body (DFB), the succession, and the start date and contract length.