Jack Wilshere joins Norwich City as first-team coach
Wilshere will work alongside Johannes Hoff Thorup and joins from Arsenal where he was Under-18s head coach.
Norwich City have announced the appointment of Jack Wilshere as first-team coach.
Wilshere, who will work alongside Johannes Hoff Thorup’s backroom staff, joins from Arsenal where he was Under-18s head coach.
As a player, he was a product of Arsenal’s youth academy and went on to make 197 senior appearances, scoring 14 goals and winning two FA Cups.
He made history during the 2008/09 season when Arsène Wenger handed him his Premier League debut against Blackburn Rovers at just 16, making him Arsenal’s youngest-ever debutant in the league.
During his career, Wilshere enjoyed loan spells with Bolton Wanderers, where he scored his first Premier League goal, and AFC Bournemouth.
After his time at Arsenal, he went on to play for West Ham United, returned to Bournemouth, and had a stint with Danish side AGF before retiring from professional football in 2022.
Internationally, Wilshere earned 34 England caps and scored two goals.
Following the announcement of his retirement, he quickly transitioned into coaching, taking over Arsenal’s Under-18s less than a week later. In his debut coaching season, he led the side to the final of the 2022/23 FA Youth Cup.
Speaking to canaries.co.uk, Wilshere said: “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.
"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."
Sporting director Ben Knapper said: “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.
“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.”