Former Arsenal And England Star Jack Wilshere In Advanced Talks To Become Coach At Norwich City

Former Arsenal and England midfielder Jack Wilshere is in advanced talks with Norwich City regarding a possible coaching role at the club.

Wilshere, 32, is said to have agreed to join Johannes Hoff Thorup’s staff at the EFL Championship side.

He would replace Narcis Pelach as first-team coach at Carrow Road, and all parties are reportedly confident a deal is close.

Following talks with several candidates, Wilshere is believed to be the first choice for Norwich.

With the former Gunner currently managing Arsenal’s U18s, Norwich are working on a compensation package to secure his services.

Arsenal are said to be happy to let Wilshere move on, for the right fee.

And Wilshere already has a good relationship with Canaries sporting director Ben Knapper. The two worked together at Arsenal, with Knapper leading the decision to try and lure Wilshere to East Anglia.

A deal allowing Wilshere to move to Norwich could be finalised within the week, but it appears he will not complete the move in time to join manager Thorup in the dugout for Saturday’s trip to Stoke City.

Stoke were actually the instigators of this move. The Potters’ decision to poach Pelach as a replacement for departing head coach Steven Schumacher has led to Norwich’s pursuit of Wilshere.

Still only 32, Wilshere hung up his playing boots in July 2022. His career was blighted by injuries and a sense of ‘what might have been’ had he stayed fit.

But after taking up a coaching role with Arsenal’s academy, he appears to have regained his love for football.

Coaching Has Reignited Jack Wilshere’s Passion Ahead Of Norwich Move

A two-time FA Cup winner with Arsenal, Wilshere played 197 times for the Gunners. He also notched 34 senior England caps.

But in that time, he twice fractured his fibula and had two ankle surgeries and another on his knee among many other injuries.

His glittering performance against Barcelona in the 2011 Champions League was an example of how good he could have been.

But since retiring, he has fallen back in love with the sport through coaching.

He told The Independent in April 2023: “I love it, honestly,

“It’s given me back the real deep love for football and I didn’t know I’d lost it to be honest. I came back here last year and I was coaching a bit, training a bit.

“I love it. On the grass, trying to beat teams, trying to work out a way to play against teams, trying to develop an individual.”

Wilshere was linked with head coaching roles at MLS side Colorado Rapids, as well as Aberdeen.

But with a move to Norwich nearing, Canaries boss Thorup confirmed they are close to appointing a new coach.

He said: “We are getting closer. I think we can say we are close to finding the candidate we want.

“And then, of course, there’s discussions between clubs and agents. There’s so many parts of this where to set a timeline on it is sometimes tricky and sometimes difficult, but again, we are getting closer.

“Whether it’s going to be for Stoke, I think it’s maybe too optimistic. But, of course, it can develop quickly, so there’s a chance, but maybe more realistic to say start of next week.”