Former Arsenal star Jack Wilshere is in line to return to his boyhood club as the new Under-21 head coach, following the recent departure of Mehmet Ali.
Ali left earlier this summer to join Brentford’s senior coaching staff under Keith Andrews, who stepped in after Thomas Frank became the new Tottenham manager.
Wilshere, now 33, has been on a fast track in coaching since retiring as a player. He had been head coach of Arsenal’s U18 team before leaving for a first-team coaching role at Norwich City last year.
In April, he was promoted to interim head coach at Norwich after the sudden exit of Johannes Hoff Thorup. But Wilshere’s time in charge was short. He left the club in June when Norwich appointed Liam Manning as their new permanent manager.
Now, Arsenal are seriously considering bringing him back to lead their U21 squad, although no final decision has been made yet.
Jack Wilshere is a natural fit for the role:
He grew up in the Arsenal Academy, joining as a youth and eventually making more than 150 appearances for the first team.
He remains a fan favourite known for his passion, skill, and commitment to the club.
Since retiring, he’s impressed many at Arsenal with his coaching style, youth-focused approach, and leadership potential.
Sources inside the club say his return would not just bring coaching experience, but also club culture and identity back to the development squads.
Arsenal’s youth program is going through big changes. With Wilshere potentially taking over the U21s, the club would be doubling down on a strategy of bringing back former players to build a new generation of stars.
The Gunners continue to promote from within and have seen major success from academy graduates like Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, and Ethan Nwaneri.
Wilshere’s possible appointment comes at a key time, with the U21s needing a strong leader to bridge the gap between youth and the first team.
“Jack has Arsenal in his blood. His experience as a player and a youth coach makes him a valuable candidate. We’re exploring all options, but he represents our values on and off the pitch.” – (Unofficial club source)
