Wilshere leaves Arsenal to become Norwich First Team Coach

Wilshere made 197 senior appearances for the Gunners and won 34 caps for England before transitioning into coaching in July 2022. In his debut season in charge of Arsenal’s U18s he led them to the final of the 2022/23 FA Youth Cup, which they lost to West Ham.

“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,” he said.

“When I met Ben (Knapper) and Johannes (Thorup, Head Coach), 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.”

Knapper added: “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.”

Head Coach Thorup has had gaps in his coaching staff following the departure of First Team Coach Narcis Pelach to Stoke City last month. In addition, First Team Coach Andrew Hughes left to join Steve Cooper at Leicester in July.

Thorup’s staff is very unusual in that it is comprised entirely of staff he hasn’t worked with before. When he joined Norwich in the summer, the Dane brought only one member of staff with him – compatriot Assistant Glen Riddersholm. 

Even they had never worked together before, having been put in touch by their respective agents. 

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou follows this same formula of appointing a new staff whenever he joins a new club. 

He has said: “I have always worked with different staff, I’m not the person who takes staff with me. By bringing in new people, it forces me as to make that message relevant to the new person coming in the door.

“It’s a brave decision to bring in someone you have never worked with before when you’re already successful.  Bringing in people I am potentially going to be challenged by is great for me.”

Wilshere’s replacement as Arsenal U18 Head Coach is Adam Birchall, who steps up from U18 Assistant and U17s Head Coach. 

Birchall has been with the Gunners for more than 13 years and worked with all the age groups – Foundation Phase, Youth Development Phase and Professional Development Phase – at the Academy.

Responding to the appointment, Wilshere wrote on X: “The players and staff are lucky to have you lead them. Good luck mate, until we meet again.”

Academy Manager Per Mertesacker, said: “Adam has a wealth of experience at Arsenal. He is a highly-qualified and highly-skilled individual who will transition into his new role effortlessly.

“Having played for our Academy and coached here for almost 10 years, Adam is a key member of the Arsenal family. We are confident that Adam will lead this important age group in a forward-thinking, exciting and energetic way.”