4 hours ago
15
Jack Wilshere is closing in on his first permanent managerial role with a return to his first club Luton Town.
The 33-year-old former Arsenal and England midfielder is expected to be named as the successor to Matt Bloomfield at Kenilworth Road after they were unable to prise Richie Wellens away from Leyton Orient.
Wellens, who is thought to be tied down with a heavy compensation clause, took charge of Orient as they beat Doncaster 4-0 on Saturday.
Luton met a shortlist of candidates last week in London and appear to have settled on Wilshere, who has been out of work since leaving his position on the coaching staff at Norwich City, where he ended last season in interim charge of the first team.
He has been determined to forge a coaching career since injuries forced him to retire as a player in 2022, after a short spell in Denmark.
Arsenal helped him cut his teeth in their academy ranks and he led their Under 18s to the FA Youth Cup final before accepting a role on Johannes Hoff Thorup’s staff at Carrow Road. He took over as interim when Thorup was fired in April.
Jack Wilshere, 33, is on the verge of his first managerial job in senior football
The Arsenal legend is close to joining League One club Luton Town
Stevenage-born Wilshere started out in the academy ranks of Luton but he joined Arsenal at the age of nine and became one of their home grown stars when he burst into the first team at the age of 16 and made his England debut at 18.
He became established in 2010/11 and went on to win 34 senior caps but his career was marred by a succession of injuries and he retired as a player at the age of 30.
Luton sacked Bloomfield, who was lured from Wycombe but could not save them from a second successive relegation, last season, and paid the price for a disappointing start to this season.
They have won five of their first 11 games and are mid table in League One.
