Jack Wilshere has revealed he was disappointed not to land the Norwich City job on a permanent basis after taking caretaker charge of the team at the end of last season.
The 33-year-old joined the Canaries as first team coach in October 2024, arriving following a successful stint at Arsenal’s youth setup. Although a series of injuries forced the former midfielder into early retirement, he had enjoyed a stellar playing career which also saw him earn 34 caps for England.
Wilshere was given his first taste of senior management following the departure of Johannes Hoff Thorup in April, where he was named interim manager until the end of the 2024/25 season. He impressed during his two games in charge, drawing 0-0 with Middlesbrough before a comprehensive 4-2 victory over relegated Cardiff City on the final day.
Wilshere Reveals Disappointment
Shortly after the season’s end, Norwich sporting director Ben Knapper revealed that the young coach was not in the frame to land the role on a full time basis. Speaking at the time to BBC Radio Norfolk, he said:
“Jack is a fantastic person, he and I have a big history together.
“He’s a great coach and will be a fantastic head coach, but that’s not going to be here at this particular moment in time.”
Jack Wilshere WILL NOT be Norwich City’s next permanent head coach.
Sporting Director Ben Knapper says the new boss will be an external candidate.
Listen to a full interview here:https://t.co/vug3ZUDxKz
— BBC Norfolk (@BBCNorfolk) May 9, 2025
“I always said I didn’t want to leave that environment until I could really feel I could have an influence and affect first-team players.
“I decided to take that step in Norwich and I think it was a really good step, becoming a first-team coach, being on someone’s staff and being able to watch how they do it, feel what the players are feeling – and selfishly at times, (have) the ability to step back because I wasn’t the head coach, I wasn’t the main guy.”
Continuing, he admitted that he was ‘slightly disappointed’ not to be considered for the manager role at Carrow Road, although is thankful that he now has the opportunity at Luton:
“Ultimately, what gave me the belief was the last two games of the season.
“You can have a dream and ambition of being a (head) coach but never actually know what that feels like until you’re on the sideline or until you’re stood in the meeting room in front of the lads and you’re asking them to do stuff and trying to bring back an energy – at the time at Norwich it was so flat.
“Seeing that and feeling the players doing what I wanted them to do and give everything for me gave me a massive belief.
“Of course when I left Norwich I was slightly disappointed because I felt I was ready to take that job but I also left with huge belief that I could do it. And I’m thankful to Luton for giving me that opportunity to show it.”
“I’m in a place where I feel I can really make a difference and create something that will help us be successful.”
Done deal 🤝#LTFC https://t.co/7sQazVjv78
— The Real EFL (@RealEFLSocial) October 12, 2025
Writer’s View
Jack Wilshere clearly felt like he could have made an impact at Norwich has he been given the opportunity to lead them into this season. It’s hard to argue his point when taking into consideration the pressure that the man who landed the role – Liam Manning – is under already.
It is a case of we’ll never know though and there is a degree of risk at the job he has taken at Luton. The Hatters will be looking for no less than a serious promotion challenge in League One. Should he fail to finish within the top six, it’s likely that questions will be asked about his future.
