Germany international and Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos has named former Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker as his preferred candidate to take on the vacant national team technical director role.
Following Die Mannschaft's humiliating group-stage exit from the World Cup, Olivier Bierhoff had his contract terminated due to the abysmal performance of the team, despite working with the German football association for just shy of two decades. His contract was due to run until 2024, which would have taken him up to 20 years of service with the German FA.
Meanwhile, Mertesacker is attracting plenty of admirers as a result of his work with the Gunners as their head of academy operations. A number of influential young stars have progressed to the first team under his tutelage, including Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah.
The ex-Arsenal skipper has taken no prisoners in his shake-up of the academy system and has overseen the dismissals of a number of key figures. Kroos is keen to see his old Germany team-mate do something similar for the national team.
"I really think Per is the perfect man for the job. He is a great personality, also has an absolute authority and, on the other hand, he can also be a buddy guy," he said on Einfach mal Luppen podcast.
"Per is mega professional and could also make sure that there is a certain closeness to the fans again. In my eyes, he would be the perfect man for the job," Kroos added. "He has gained a lot of experience in the academy of Arsenal London over the years."
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Mertesacker has commented on the rumours linking him with the technical director role, saying: "No, no one spoke to me after Bierhoff left. You also have to know that I am very, very happy in London – family and professionally.
"The gap that Oliver Bierhoff leaves is very large because, of course, the academy was added. Not only the national team, but also the academy plays an important role. I'll just wait and see. I enjoy my job at Arsenal and [German broadcaster] ZDF. I'm happy for now and I'll see what's in store for me."
Were Mertesacker to call time on his stay within the Arsenal hierarchy, it would serve as a huge blow to the Gunners - particularly as the German boasts a stellar working relationship with first-team manager Mikel Arteta.
Mertesacker also works closely with the recently-promoted sporting director Edu, who has helped, alongside the former Gunners centre-back, form a clear link between the academy and the first team.
