On Friday, it is clear who will lead the German national team towards the next European Championship. It didn’t take many minutes after Die Mannschaft’s early exit from the 2026 World Cup before “everyone” knew Julian Nagelsmann was history and Klopp the future. A bit of fun news, is that a former Arsenal player Klopp has led two clubs against, will now serve as Klopp’s boss.

Per Mertesacker was brought to Arsenal in 2011 from Werder Bremen, ended his playing career at Arsenal in 2018 and went directly into a role in the London club’s academy. The German has been the academy’s head for eight years, before he resigned this summer. So a total of 15 years with the Gunners.

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As an Arsenal player, Mertesacher has met Jürgen Klopp at the match arena. First with Klopp as Borussia Dortmund coach, then for Liverpool. According to German Sky Sports , Mertesacher will now get the job as Geschäftsführer Sport, sporting director, where the 41-year-old will start in early January 2027.

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