Former Arsenal defender Shkodran Mustafi retires, immediately lands new job

Shkodran Mustafi has announced his retirement from football and is set to join Germany’s under-17 team.

Mustafi spent much of his playing career at Arsenal, for whom he made 151 appearances from 2016 to 2021.

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The centre-back, who won the World Cup with Germany a decade ago, last played for Spanish side Levante but was released in July.

Mustafi announced his retirement at the age of 32 and the German FA announced that he would become the new under-17 assistant coach.

“I have been thinking about gaining experience as a coach for a while,” he said in a statement. “On the one hand, it’s a shame that it happened so soon because I would have liked to play football myself for longer.

“On the other hand, I am really looking forward to the times ahead and taking my first steps as a coach in the DFB. I want to pass on all the experience I have gained during my passage with the U15, U21 and of course with the senior national team and with the boys.”

Kai Kruger, head of the German junior national teams, added: “We are convinced that he can become a great coach.

“We want to support him on this path. By signing him, we remain true to our philosophy of developing not only players but also coaches.

“In our discussions, we felt from the beginning Shkodran’s passion for sharing his experiences. He lives football – in a new role in the future, in our team!”

Mustafi won the U17 Euro with Germany before earning 20 caps for the senior team, including three during their 2014 World Cup triumph in Brazil.

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His career began at Everton after being signed for their academy and he only made one appearance for the senior team.

The defender then spent two and a half years at Sampdoria before signing for Spanish giants Valencia after winning the World Cup.

Mustafi’s efforts attracted the attention of Arsenal and he returned to England in 2016, winning two FA Cups with the Gunners.

He left north London five years later for Schalke, but spent just seven months at the club before his injury-plagued move to Levante.

However, he is now set for a rapid return to football as he looks to help develop the next generation of young German talent.