Norwich City confirm Jack Wilshere as first team coach

Wilshere, 32, has moved to Carrow Road from his role as the Gunners under-18 manager and joins Johannes Hoff Thorup's coaching staff ahead of their next Championship encounter against Middlesbrough on Sunday. 

Compensation has been paid to Arsenal, and Wilshere will begin work with City's squad on Thursday. 

“I’m delighted to be joining Norwich City. It is a fantastic opportunity at a very impressive club, and one which has come at the right time to progress my coaching career within a first-team environment,” Wilshere told City’s official channels. 

"When I met Ben and Johannes, I was really impressed by their vision and plans for the club. I’ve heard a lot about the environment around the club, and the facilities at the training centre are first class.

"I feel like I’ve learned so much during my time coaching with Arsenal and I’ll be forever thankful for that experience. I’m now really looking forward to working with the coaching staff and players and can’t wait to get going."

City have conducted an extensive search for Narcis Pelach's coaching successor after he took charge of Championship rivals Stoke back in September that included speaking to a host of candidates. 

That shortlist included Randers coach Fatah Abdirahman, but City opted to move ahead without considering the Dane as part of their final two candidates. After talks, Wilshere quickly emerged as their preferred option, with the other understood to be working abroad at another club. 

Wilshere was keen to take the step into senior football to continue his coaching journey and his close relationship with sporting director Ben Knapper played a major part in him accepting the position.

City’s sporting director Knapper believes the club have acquired one of the brightest coaching talents in the country in Wilshere. 

“We are delighted to welcome Jack to Norwich City. He is of course someone I know well, and his personality, knowledge and experience will all be huge assets for us,” Knapper said. 

“He has developed fantastically over the past couple of years, and we feel this is an exciting next step for both parties. His passion for coaching, and football more broadly, is huge, and he has a natural ability to connect with people. That combined with his desire to push and develop both himself and those around him are key attributes that we look forward to harnessing.

“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.”

After his retirement in 2022 following a brief spell at Danish side AGF, Wilshere rejoined Arsenal as under-18 boss, leading them to the Youth Cup final during his first season in charge. He finished the role with a 4-2 defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday. 

Wilshere’s decision to leave a comfortable environment to move to Norwich is one supported by Arsenal academy manager Per Mertesacker, who has vowed to keep tabs on his development. 

“Jack’s development as a coach over the past two seasons has been really impressive. Jack has represented Arsenal in the best possible way, both as a player and in his role as an academy coach,” Mertesacker told Arsenal.com. 

“Jack has not only been a role model for our younger generation on the pitch – showing the young players the skills required at the highest level, but has also demonstrated every day how to be the best possible person.

Wilshere will join Johannes Hoff Thorup and assistant Glen Riddersholm at Norwich City. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd) “Of course, we are all sad to see Jack leave, but we are so proud that we have played a positive part in his development into the next stage of his career as a young coach. We wish Jack and his family well at Norwich City, and his many friends here will be keeping in close contact with him as his journey in coaching continues.”

During City's pursuit, academy manager Joe Shulberg has stepped up to assist Thorup and assistant Glen Riddersholm on an interim basis. Wilshere effectively becomes the third in command at Carrow Road. 

Wilshere joins a coaching team that also consists of set-piece coach Nick Stanley and goalkeeping coach Tony Roberts, who worked with the former England midfielder at Arsenal.