Arsenal are set to bring in Pascal De Maesschalck as their new academy manager ahead of the 2026-27 season. The post, which was previously held by former Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker, got vacated after the German left his role at the conclusion of last season.

The Belgian’s appointment is imminent, and his role will be to oversee the academy’s function along with keeping tabs on youngsters, providing the Hale End prospects a pathway to the first team. The Arsenal academy has been blessed with top talents, as the likes of Bukayo Saka, Max Dowman, Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly among the recent names who have taken flight to the first team.

Who is Pascal De Maesschalck?

Pascal De Maesschalck may not be a household name among football fans, but within European football circles he is regarded as one of the leading figures in youth development and academy management. The Belgian has built a reputation for identifying, nurturing and preparing young footballers for the professional game rather than working as a first-team coach.

De Maesschalck first rose to prominence at Club Brugge, where he spent more than a decade overseeing the club’s youth system. During his time there, the Belgian giants strengthened one of the most productive academies in the country, producing players capable of competing both domestically and across Europe. His work focused on creating a structured pathway from academy football to the senior team.

In 2021, AS Monaco appointed him as Director of Youth Development, entrusting him with the responsibility of bridging the gap between the club’s renowned academy and the first team. Monaco praised his expertise in talent management and player progression, highlighting his ability to establish one of Europe’s most effective development pipelines.

His reputation continued to grow, and in 2024 he joined RC Strasbourg as Technical Director. Working within the BlueCo multi-club structure, De Maesschalck has been responsible for shaping long-term sporting strategy, recruitment planning and the development of young players across the club. And now, his destination is North London.