The PER-fect man for the job! Toni Kroos backs Arsenal academy boss Mertesacker for the Germany post because of his ‘absolute authority’ – with Hansi Flick under fire after their dismal World Cup group stage exit
- Toni Kroos believes Per Mertesacker would make the ‘perfect’ Germany boss
- The German FA stood by Hansi Flick despite the country’s World Cup misery
- But Kroos insisted his former team-mate is the ideal candidate to replace him
- Mertesacker, a World Cup champion in 2014, works as Arsenal’s academy boss
- The ex-defender has been linked with the DFB’s vacant sporting director role
- Click here for the latest World Cup 2022 news, fixtures, live action and results
Toni Kroos thinks Per Mertesacker would be the ‘perfect’ candidate to take over as Germany manager following the country’s dismal group stage exit at the World Cup.
The German FA confirmed last Wednesday that Hansi Flick would remain as the national team coach despite his side’s miserable performance at the tournament.
Real Madrid midfielder Kroos, who retired from international football in 2021, believes his ex-World Cup winning team-mate Mertesacker should be strongly considered for the role.
Toni Kroos thinks Per Mertesacker would be the ideal candidate to take over as Germany boss
The Arsenal academy manager has already been linked with Germany’s sporting director role
The former centre-half has been Arsenal’s academy manager since July 2018, having represented the Gunners as a player for seven years.
‘I really think Per is the perfect man for the job,’ Kroos explained on his podcast Einfach mal Luppen.
‘He is a great personality. He has an absolute authority and on the other hand, he can also play be a friend to the players.
Mertesacker (pictured next to Mesut Ozil in 2017) has ‘absolute authority’ according to Kroos
Hansi Flick’s side shockingly crashed out of the World Cup during the group stages in Qatar
‘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.
‘He has gained a lot of experience at the Arsenal academy over the years.’
Reports emerged from Germany last week that the DFB were considering Mertesacker as a candidate for their vacant sporting director position.
The German FA has since backed the 57-year-old boss to remain in charge of the national team
The former Germany international helped his country lift the 2014 World Cup trophy in Brazil
Germany’s bitter elimination prompted former sporting director Oliver Bierhoff to leave his post earlier this month, following calls for a drastic rebuild within the governing body before Euro 2024.
Flick, who remains under significant pressure from fans, said after Bierhoff’s departure: ‘My coaching team and I are finding it difficult at the moment to imagine how the gap created by Oliver’s departure can be closed professionally and personally.
‘For me personally, Oliver was my first contact and friend within the team. Our common goal was the EM 2024 project in Germany.’
Oliver Bierhoff agreed to terminate his contract with DFB after Germany’s early World Cup exit
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