Ex-Arsenal star puts his childhood hat on and embarks on a coaching career
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Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 14.10.25. | 09:30
After 24 years, the former midfielder is back in the place where his magnificent football journey started, while his ex-Gunners teammate Mikel Arteta had interesting advice for him
Jack Wilshere has returned home. At the place where he began his football journey at the age of 8, he'll now embark on a coaching career, taking up his first managerial job as a head coach.
Even though you probably instantly thought of Arsenal and started wondering what happened with Mikel Arteta, North London was only the second stop on Wilshere's path, as everything for him started a little north of the English capital - in Luton.
🚨🟠 Official, confirmed. Jack Wilshere becomes new Luton Town manager.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 13, 2025
“It feels like a full-circle moment for me. I was eight when I first came to Luton as a boy, so I guess you could say it’s fate that my first full-time club managerial position is at this club”. pic.twitter.com/vV6WcmIHOe
Back in 2001, as an 8-year-old boy, Wilshere spent some time at Kenilworth Road before joining Arsenal. Now, he'll lead the Hatters as head coach in his first job in the new role. Truth be told, he did coach the Gunners' U-18 team and was an interim manager at Norwich City, but the real thing begins now.
During his unveiling press conference, Wilshere couldn't avoid the topic of the club where he spent 25 years, revealing the advice his ex-Arsenal teammate and now the North London side's boss, Mikel Arteta, had given him.
“About a year ago, I asked Mikel Arteta when he knew he was ready.
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) October 13, 2025
“He laughed and said you just have to jump in and swim as hard as you can.”
Jack Wilshere is the new Luton Town manager. @ArtdeRoche watched the 33-year-old's unveiling at Kenilworth Road.… pic.twitter.com/VqIC40hEud
"About a year ago, I asked Mikel when he knew he was ready. He laughed and said, 'You just have to jump in and swim as hard as you can,' Wilshere said via Mirror.
And the 33-year-old will indeed have to listen to the Spaniard's advice, as his task with Luton will be as tough as it gets. After their Premier League spell in the 2023/2024 season, the Hatters suffered two relegations in a row, ending up in the third tier, League One.
They are currently 11th with five wins, as many losses, and one draw. The playoff spots are five points away, so Wilshere's mission to reach (at least) the top six is achievable, but it'll require a lot of hard work and luck.
