Jack Wilshere in 'advanced talks' to leave Arsenal

Tom Weber

• Updated: 17 Oct 2024 16:11 BST
• 3 min read

Breaking

Jack Wilshere is in 'advanced talks' to become a first-team coach at Norwich City, according to The Athletic.

The former Arsenal midfielder, whose incredibly promising career was ruined by injuries, has been the head coach of the Gunners U18s since the summer of 2022, leading them to the FA Youth Cup final in 2022/23.

Highly regarded at Arsenal and in the industry at large, Wilshere now looks set to leave the club for which he made 125 senior appearances. According to The Athletic, the 32-year-old is in 'advanced talks' to become a first-team coach at Championship side Norwich City.

READ MORE: 'Arsenal return would be fantastic' admits ex-Gunners star

Wilshere will replace Narcis Pelach in new manager Johannes Hoff Thorup's staff after the Spaniard left to take on the head coaching role at Stoke City following the dismissal of Steven Schumacher.

The outlet reports that the deal is not done yet but that the Canaries are increasingly confident of landing the former England international.

Wilshere to join Norwich

One of the driving factors behind the move is thought to be Wilshere's existing relationship with Norwich sporting director Ben Knapper, Arsenal's former loan manager.

Wilshere is said to be 'excited' about the opportunity to coach in senior football, though it is unlikely that he will already be on the Norwich bench when they face Pelach's Stoke at the weekend.

READ MORE: Arsenal fan favourite admits he left to 'be happy again'

It has been a difficult start to the season for Norwich under Thorup, though results have massively improved in recent weeks. The side is looking increasingly confident in executing the Dane's gameplan and results reflect that, with the side only losing once in the Championship since an opening-day defeat to Oxford United.

Norwich currently find themselves just outside of the play-off places, but the goal, according to winger and Championship joint-top scorer Borja Sainz, is to get promoted at the end of the season.