Soccer

Jack Wilshere leaves Arsenal role to become first-team coach at Norwich

The former midfielder had been in charge of Arsenal’s under-18s.

Jack Wilshere came through the youth ranks at Arsenal before making almost 200 senior appearances
Jack Wilshere came through the youth ranks at Arsenal before making almost 200 senior appearances (Andrew Matthews/PA)
By Jim van Wijk, PA

Former England midfielder Jack Wilshere has left his role in the Arsenal academy to join Norwich as first-team coach.

Wilshere, 32, returned to his former club in July 2022 as head coach of Arsenal’s under-18s and guided them to the FA Youth Cup final, where they lost to West Ham.

The move to Sky Bet Championship Norwich will see Wilshere work alongside Johannes Hoff Thorup’s backroom staff, with Narcis Pelach having left to take over at Stoke last month.

“As everyone knows, Arsenal is and always will be part of who I am and the club means so much to me,” Wilshere, who came through the Gunners academy before making 197 senior appearances, said on the club website.

“However, this opportunity has come at the right time to progress my coaching career within a first-team environment.”

Norwich sporting director Ben Knapper knows Wilshere from when he was loan manager at Arsenal.

Wilshere added on the Norwich club website: “When I met Ben and Johannes, I was really impressed by their vision and plans for the club.

“I have heard a lot about the environment around the club and the facilities at the training centre are first class.

“I feel like I have learned so much during my time coaching with Arsenal and I will be forever thankful for that experience.

“I am now really looking forward to working with the coaching staff and players and can’t wait to get going.”

Johannes Hoff Thorup took over at Norwich in the summer
Johannes Hoff Thorup took over at Norwich in the summer (Richard Sellers/PA)

Norwich sit seventh in the Championship table, just a point outside the play-off places, after coming from behind to draw 2-2 at Preston on Tuesday night.

Knapper said: “Jack has developed fantastically over the past couple of years and we feel this is an exciting next step for both parties.

“In our view, he is one of the brightest and most exciting young coaches in the country. We can’t wait to begin our journey together with him and to get to work.”

Arsenal later announced Adam Birchall would become the club’s new under-18s head coach. He will step into the role having been under-18s assistant coach, with his first match in charge away at Norwich on Saturday.