Jack Wilshere set to be named as Arsenal U18s coach after announcing retirement

Former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere is set to be named as the club’s Under-18s coach after announcing his retirement from football.

Wilshere burst onto the scene with the Gunners and looked set to enjoy a long and prosperous career at the highest level. But persistent injury woes stifled his potential and Arsenal supporters have forever been wondering ‘what could’ve been’ regarding the starlet that ran rings around one of the greatest midfielders ever assembled as a teenager.

The Arsenal academy graduate spent a decade in the senior set-up before departing in 2018. He joined West Ham and then Bournemouth before finishing his career with Danish side Aarhus.

The former England international announced his retirement from football on Friday afternoon.

Jack Wilshere set to be named Arsenal U18s coach after announcing retirement

However, it appears that Wilshere will swiftly move onto pastures new. The Athletic’s David Ornstein reports that the 30-year-old is set to be named as Arsenal’s Under-18s coach following the departure of Dan Micciche to Crawley Town.

Mehmet Ali, meanwhile, who joined the club from Reading earlier this year, is poised to be promoted to head coach of the Under-23s side to succeed Kevin Patsy. Max Porter, who previously worked with the U18s, has been lined up to aid Ali in his new role.

As for Wilshere, it’s been reported that he’ll be joined by Adam Birchall and Julian Gray on the sidelines.

The former midfielder, who appeared 197 times for Arsenal and helped the Gunners to a pair of FA Cup triumphs, has been preparing for a coaching role for quite some time. Wilshere started working on his coaching badges during the 2016/17 campaign, just before he enjoyed a brief renaissance in Arsenal colours, and after indifferent spells at three different clubs, he’s opted to call it quits on his playing career.

Oh, Super Jack. We’ll never forget what you did to that Barcelona midfield back in 2011.