Jonathan van Haaster17 Oct 2024, 22:31
Last updated: Oct 17, 2024, 10:36 PM
Jack Wilshere faces a great challenge in his young coaching career. Several media reports that the 32-year-old Welshman is about to sign a multi-year contract with Norwich City, number seven in the Championship. There he becomes a field coach,’first team coach‘, in de staf van manager Johannes Hoff Thorup.
Wilshere is currently still under contract with Arsenal, where he is in charge of the Under 18s. Journalist Connor Southwell from ThePink Un writes that Wilshere was unanimously the first choice at Norwich City to succeed Narcís Pèlach who left for Stoke City.
Arsenal, where Wilshere made a splash as a player, has granted Wilshere the move and has reached an agreement with Norwich City. The sporting director of the CanariesBen Knapper, knows Wilshere well from his time at Arsenal. Knepper worked at Arsenal for many years, including as a match analyst in the staff of Arsène Wenger and later Unai Emery.
Partly due to his good relationship with Knapper, Wilshere chooses to make the move to Norwich. A final deal is expected early next week, meaning Wilshere will have to miss Norwich’s upcoming league match against Pèlach’s Stoke City.
Wilshere ended his playing career at the age of thirty due to persistent injuries. The former midfielder immediately went into coaching and was allowed to work at his old love Arsenal, where he was responsible for the Under 18s.
In his first season he led his team to the FA Youth Cup final, where despite a 1-0 lead, they went completely wrong against West Ham United (1-5) in their own Emirates Stadium.
Last season, Arsenal Under 18s finished third in their age group in the Premier League South, seven points behind champions Chelsea. Arsenal is currently fifth, although it has only one loss point less than leader Aston Villa.
During his playing career, Wilshere was responsible for one of the greatest team goals ever. Against Norwich City, of all places, he was the final stop of a phenomenal attack. The goal can be seen in the video below from minute 1:47.
