Jack Wilshere has landed his first full-time managerial role after stepping into coaching following his retirement in 2022.
Wilshere’s career on the pitch concluded tragically and prematurely after injuries plagued his playing days.
It’s no surprise that the Englishman isn’t done with staying close to football just yet, still being only 33 years old.
After Wilshere rejected the Arsenal U21 job, the former Gunner has been named as Luton Town’s manager, taking on the challenge in League One.
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Jack Wilshere learned a lot from Cesc Fabregas
Luton need a refresh, having suffered back-to-back relegations under Rob Edwards and then Matt Bloomfield.
The task will be tough for the former Arsenal man, who took on the job with intent, having made it clear that not every managerial role was for him.
Wilshere joked that he’d never manage Tottenham due to his love for Arsenal, with North London forever holding a special place in his heart.
At Colney is where things began for Wilshere, who coached Arsenal’s U18 side for two years, a spell that ended in 2024.
During his time back at Arsenal in a coaching capacity, Wilshere received a lot of support, with one of the most impactful teachers being Cesc Fabregas.
On Instagram in 2023, Wilshere posted a photo of himself and Fabregas on the touchline, mentioning how ‘invaluable’ the Spaniard’s words were.
“Learning from the best football brain I know! As a player I wish I had the chance to play with this guy for longer but having the chance to pick his brain about certain situations and how he thinks about the game is invaluable. Thank you.”
Wilshere is following in Fabregas’ footsteps to join the list of Arsene Wenger’s former players who went on to become managers.
Having been nurtured and coached by Wenger, Wilshere would’ve learned a thing or two from his former boss, but Fabregas also played his part.
How many times did Wilshere and Fabregas play together at Arsenal?
Wenger predicted that Wilshere would become a coach, and now, the former midfielder has fulfilled the boss’s wishes.
Wenger will be immensely proud to see Wilshere and Fabregas in management roles, but will perhaps wish that he could’ve fused the pair on the pitch more often than he did.
It’s something Wilshere wanted, having lined up against the Spaniard only 32 times during his career, mostly coming over the 2010/11 season.
Fabregas left Arsenal after that campaign, bringing his brief partnership with Wilshere to an end.
Now, the two players spend their days on the touchline, and who knows whether they could meet again in the game in the future.
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