Jack Wilshere has acknowledged that his appointment as Luton Town manager represents a bold move, but the former Arsenal and England midfielder insists he’s ready to embrace the challenge. At just 33, Wilshere has landed his first permanent senior coaching role, returning to the club where his football journey began.
Wilshere’s journey back to Luton
Wilshere, who made 34 appearances for England, began his youth career at Luton Town before joining Arsenal’s academy in 2001. He went on to spend 17 years at the Emirates, racking up 197 senior appearances and 14 goals for the Gunners. A string of injuries curtailed his playing career, forcing him to turn his focus to coaching.
After hanging up his boots, Wilshere took charge of Arsenal’s U18s, guiding them to the 2023 FA Youth Cup final, where they narrowly lost to West Ham United. He then joined Norwich City in 2024 as a first-team coach under Johannes Hoff Thorup and briefly served as caretaker manager following Thorup’s dismissal — overseeing a draw with Middlesbrough and a 4–2 win against Cardiff City.
Although Norwich chose to move in a different direction, Wilshere continued his development by completing his UEFA Pro Licence. Now, he returns to Kenilworth Road as Luton’s new manager, replacing Matt Bloomfield. He’ll be supported by experienced coach Chris Powell, formerly of Charlton and Southend United.
“Every appointment comes with risk” – Wilshere on taking the leap
Asked whether his inexperience makes him a risky hire, Wilshere was pragmatic:
“I’m sure whenever Gary Sweet (Luton’s CEO) hires a manager, there’s always some level of risk. I was very open with Gary and the staff from the start — it really feels like a family here. My background, the pressure I’ve faced since I was 16, those experiences will help me massively. Having Chris Powell beside me adds even more strength.”
Wilshere continued:
“I’ve had some brilliant moments and some tough ones in my short coaching journey, but I’m ready. I’m ambitious. I want to take Luton back to the Championship — that’s my clear goal. This is a proud moment for me and my family. Returning to where it all began makes it even more special.”
The 33-year-old admitted the appointment hasn’t fully sunk in yet but described the recruitment process as “intense but enjoyable.”
“When the opportunity came up, I was immediately excited. Gary and I connected straight away, and the conversations were really positive. It’s been a great process — he’s learned more about me, and I’ve learned more about the club. Now I just can’t wait to get started.”
A fresh start for “the new Jack Wilshere”
Wilshere is eager to carve out a new identity as a coach, rather than rely on his reputation as a player.
“I’ve said before, being a good player doesn’t automatically make you a good coach. Coaching is completely different — you have to learn how a club operates and how to manage people. That’s why I didn’t rush into a first-team role before I was ready.”
He credits his spell at Norwich for giving him a taste of real-world management:
“At Norwich, I was fighting for points every week — it was tough, but it taught me a lot. Those lessons, combined with what I learned from great managers during my career, will help shape who I am as a coach.”
Wilshere concluded by saying:
“This is a new chapter, a new Jack Wilshere. I’m driven, hungry, and thankful to Gary and everyone at Luton for trusting me. I want to build something special here.”