Arsenal have confirmed that Under-18s manager Jack Wilshere has left the club to take on a first-team coaching role at Norwich City.
The former Gunners midfielder took charge of the Hale End side in 2022 following his premature retirement as a player, calling time on his career at just 30 years old following a spate of injuries.
With Wilshere at the helm, Arsenal reached the final of the 2022-23 FA Youth Cup - losing 5-1 to London rivals West Ham United - and he also helped to oversee the development of current first-team stars Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly.
However, it was reported earlier this month that the 32-year-old was set to leave the Emirates to become part of the Norwich coaching staff, and on Wednesday morning, the Gunners confirmed that he had joined the Canaries.
Wilshere paid a heartfelt tribute to his boyhood club, while also suggesting that he could return to Arsenal in some capacity in the future, telling the club's website: "I've loved every minute of my time as Under-18s head coach and would like to thank Edu, Per [Mertesacker], Mikel, my colleagues in the academy and everyone at the club for their fantastic support during my time in the role.
"As everyone knows, Arsenal is and always will be part of who I am, and the club means so much to me. However, this opportunity has come at the right time to progress my coaching career within a first-team environment.
Wilshere seals Arsenal reunion at Norwich
Thank you for everything, Jack ❤️
— Arsenal Academy (@ArsenalAcademy) October 23, 2024
Jack Wilshere is leaving his role as Under-18s head coach to join Norwich City as a first-team coach.
Everyone at the club wishes him the very best as his journey in coaching continues.
"I have an incredibly special bond with the players and staff at Arsenal, and am so proud of the work we have done as a collective over the last two-and-a-half years. It's been a privilege to have been involved in the development and progression of such a special group, and I'll be continuing to watch and support from afar. The future is exciting both for the academy players and the club, and I know the group I've been working with will continue to progress and have the potential to achieve great things.
"I'd like to thank everyone at Arsenal Football Club for their support and understanding in my decision and wish everybody at the club the very best for the future. This club will always be close to my heart and for me, this is a 'see you again' rather than 'goodbye'."
Wilshere will form a part of Johannes Thorup's backroom team at Carrow Road, and a former colleague of the 32-year-old's - Ben Knapper - was instrumental in luring the erstwhile Arsenal man to Norwich.
Knapper was employed by Arsenal as their loan manager while Wilshere was playing for the club, before taking up the role of Norwich sporting director, and the Canaries chief labelled the 32-year-old one of England's "most exciting" young coaches.
"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 told canaries.co.uk.
"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.
Wilshere: 'It was the right time for me to leave Arsenal'
We're pleased to announce that Jack Wilshere has joined the club from Arsenal as our new first-team coach 🤝
— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) October 23, 2024
Welcome, Jack 🔰
"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."
Finally, Wilshere expressed his joy at taking on a new opportunity with the Championship side, saying: "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."
Wilshere joins Norwich City with the Canaries occupying seventh place in the Championship table, taking 17 points from their first 11 matches of the new season, and his first game as a coach comes at home to Middlesbrough on Sunday.
The former England international played 198 times for Arsenal during his on-field career, scoring 14 goals and winning two FA Cups.
Ben Knapton
