Overview
- The club confirmed the 41-year-old will depart at the end of the 2025/26 campaign after eight years leading the academy.
- Mertesacker said he plans to pursue a new challenge and remains focused on finishing the season strongly with a seamless transition.
- Chief executive Richard Garlick backed the decision and said the club is advancing a succession plan with Mertesacker remaining in post for now.
- His tenure featured promotions of Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Max Dowman and Marli Salmon, along with youth additions such as Kyran Thompson and Victor Ozhianvuna.
- Reporting highlights areas the next leader must improve, including mixed youth results, limited U21 recruitment pathways and underwhelming loan outcomes.