Arsenal U18 manager Jack Wilshere agrees to join Norwich coaching staff

Arsenal Under-18 boss Jack Wilshere has agreed to take up a first-team coaching role with Championship outfit Norwich.

Wilshere, 32, took charge as head coach of Arsenal’s Under-18 team in the summer of 2022, just days after bringing an end to his playing days.

Having steered Arsenal to the final of the 2022/23 FA Youth Cup final last year, Wilshere has won plenty of admirers for the work he has done in the role with the club’s young talent.

But according to The Pink Un, Arsenal will have to begin the search for Wilshere’s successor, with talks now at an advanced stage over a proposed move to the Canaries.

Narcis Pelach vacated his position as a first-team coach at Norwich to manage Stoke City last month and Wilshere was identified as the club’s ‘unanimous’ first-choice candidate to replace the Spaniard.

The report suggests a compensation package with Arsenal is ‘in the process of being agreed’ and official confirmation of Wilshere’s switch to Carrow Road is expected in the coming days.

Wilshere has a close relationship with Norwich’s sporting director, Ben Knapper, from their time together at the Emirates, a factor that proved decisive in convincing the two-time FA Cup winner to make the move.

Norwich’s hierarchy also met with highly rated Danish coach Fatah Abdirahman – and another unnamed coach from overseas – before focusing their attentions on Wilshere.

It’s claimed Wilshere’s attention to detail and willingness to take on the challenge made him stand out above other contenders for the position.

Wilshere applied to become Aberdeen manager earlier this year but the Scottish Premiership club would go on to appoint Jimmy Thelin. The former Arsenal, West Ham and Bournemouth midfielder also held discussions with MLS outfit Colorado Rapids.

At a press conference this week, Norwich manager Johannes Hoff Thorup reassured supporters that the club were ‘getting closer’ to making an appointment.

‘We are getting closer. I think we can say we are close to finding the candidate we want,’ the Dane told reporters.

‘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.’

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