Jack Wilshere, the former Arsenal midfielder who had been managing the Arsenal Under-18s team since July 2022, has announced his departure to join Norwich City as a first-team coach. During his time with the youth side, Wilshere led the club to the FA Youth Cup final in his first full season in charge. Wilshere expressed his gratitude to Arsenal, a club that is deeply important to him, but stated that the opportunity to progress his coaching career with a first-team environment at Norwich City was too good to pass up.
Wilshere’s decision to leave Arsenal was met with well-wishes from the club, including Arsenal academy boss Per Mertesacker, who expressed pride in Wilshere’s development and success as a young coach. The Gunners have appointed former academy player Adam Birchall as the new Under-18s coach to replace Wilshere. Norwich City’s sporting director Ben Knapper, whom Wilshere knows from his time at Arsenal as loan manager, played a role in bringing him to Carrow Road. Wilshere spoke highly of the club’s vision and plans, as well as the impressive facilities at the training centre, and expressed his eagerness to work with the coaching staff and players at Norwich City.
Wilshere’s move to Norwich City signals the next chapter in his coaching career, where he will join manager Johannes Hoff Thorup’s backroom staff at the Championship club. The 32-year-old expressed his excitement about the opportunity and the chance to further develop his coaching skills at a club with a strong foundation and clear direction. Wilshere’s experience coaching with Arsenal has prepared him for this new role, and he is eager to contribute to the success of the team at Norwich City.
As Wilshere embarks on this new venture with Norwich City, he leaves behind a legacy at Arsenal, where he made 197 senior appearances after coming through the Gunners academy. Wilshere’s departure marks a significant moment in his coaching journey, as he transitions from leading the Under-18s team to working with the first team at Norwich City. The football community will be watching closely as Wilshere takes on his new role and continues to grow and develop as a coach in the professional football environment.
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