Per Mertesacker concluded his six-year tenure as a television pundit for ZDF during Germany’s 2-0 Nations League victory against Serbia in Munich, stepping down from broadcasting ahead of his appointment as the German Football Association’s (DFB) managing director of sport. Across multiple broadcaster broadcasts and reports, the farewell featured an emotional studio sign-off, a contract extension announcement for his co-pundit Christoph Kramer, and a lighthearted callback to a famously combative 2014 television interview.
Per Mertesacker Ends Six-Year ZDF Punditry Run in Munich
Mertesacker’s final appearance in the television studio occurred on October 2, 2026, at the Munich football stadium, where Germany defeated Serbia 2–0 in the UEFA Nations League. The 42-year-old former central defender assumed his role at the public broadcaster in September 2020, succeeding Oliver Kahn after concluding his playing career and subsequently managing the youth department at Arsenal.
That broadcasting career officially concludes on January 1, 2027, when Mertesacker takes over as the DFB’s managing director of sport, succeeding Andreas Rettig. In this new executive capacity, he will oversee the national teams and the DFB academy. Speaking to moderator Jochen Breyer before kickoff, Mertesacker acknowledged the weight of the upcoming administrative transition:
“Die Aufgabe ist sehr groß. Ich habe Respekt vor der Aufgabe. Aber ich habe unglaubliche Lust, nach Deutschland zurückzukommen und für den deutschen Fußball verantwortlich zu sein,” Mertesacker said, as reported by Die Welt. “That is something I built up slowly over my youth, over my own career, and also through my path abroad. To receive this trust, I am very pleased. To build something up again—that is my great wish.”
The Ice Bath Gag That Revived a 2014 Viral Memory
To mark the departure, ZDF reporter Boris Büchler delivered a plastic ice bath barrel directly onto the Munich pitch, recreating the tension of a viral post-match encounter from the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Following Germany’s strenuous 2–1 extra-time victory over Algeria in the round of 16, a visibly exhausted Mertesacker snapped at Büchler’s routine questions before declaring on live television, “Ich lege mich jetzt drei Tage in die Eistonne, und dann werden wir das Spiel in Ruhe analysieren.”
“Das wird einen tollen Platz finden zu Hause. Wenn es mal wieder hitzig wird, dann kann ich auch ganz tief rein,” Mertesacker said. Broadcaster accounts noted that Mertesacker had initially vowed never to speak with the network again after the 2014 incident, a grudge that dissolved entirely when he joined the ZDF punditry team six years later.
Christoph Kramer Extends ZDF Contract Through EURO 2028
While Mertesacker departs for the DFB headquarters, his broadcast partner Christoph Kramer remains with the network. According to confirmation provided to the Deutsche Presse-Agentur by ZDF and detailed by Sport Bild, Kramer has extended his contract as a television expert through the conclusion of the 2028 European Championship.
Kramer, who has worked for the broadcaster since May 2018 and partnered with Mertesacker since 2020, appeared on an honorarium basis for the Serbia fixture because his previous post-World Cup contract had expired, T-Online reported. Although Kramer will continue his television analysis, upcoming autumn fixtures in 2026—including November matches against Serbia and the Netherlands—will air on RTL and ARD, meaning Kramer’s next ZDF appearance will follow a winter break.
Moderator Jochen Breyer and Kramer Bid Farewell to Mertesacker
Following the final whistle, the broadcast shifted from analysis to personal tributes led by moderator Jochen Breyer, whose eyes visibly filled with tears. Kramer expressed open disappointment at losing his broadcast partner, highlighting Mertesacker’s work ethic and administrative background at Arsenal, where Kramer previously completed an internship.
“Es sind ja immer diese tausend Millionen kleinen Momente zwischen den Sendungen, wenn wir nicht am Spielfeldrand stehen. Die Momente, wenn wir irgendwo herumlaufen, an Bars sitzen oder irgendwo warten – du bist in den mehr als sechs Jahren zu einem tollen Freund geworden. Ich hätte nicht gedacht, dass das so wird. Ich werde dich wirklich vermissen. Es ist wirklich traurig,” Kramer said, as documented by Die Welt. “The moments when we walk around somewhere, sit at bars or wait somewhere—you have become a great friend in the more than six years. I wouldn’t have thought it would turn out like this. I will really miss you. It is really sad.”
National team head coach Jürgen Klopp also weighed in on the incoming executive transition. According to Die Welt, Klopp expressed his anticipation for the collaboration, noting that he had greeted Mertesacker as “Chef” and believed that Mertesacker would be his boss starting in January.
Germany’s autumn international schedule resumes in November 2026 with matches broadcast across rival networks ARD and RTL, while Mertesacker prepares to assume his administrative duties at the DFB on January 1, 2027.
Worth a look
