Jack Wilshere sits confidently behind a table marked with the England logo, a slight contrast to the nervousness he might have felt in previous press conferences during his playing days. Now, as a budding coach, this press conference is a new experience for the 33-year-old. He is currently part of a cohort of 25 on the UEFA Pro Licence course at St George’s Park, where he faces a fictional scenario that challenges his media skills. The mock situation tests his ability to handle the pressure of being a head coach, and Wilshere proves adept, handling the questions with the same composure he demonstrated during his playing career.
After the session, Wilshere reflects on his transition from player to coach, revealing that his ambition for a future in management was sparked by Mikel Arteta. Wilshere admits that before seeing Arteta in action, he had never encountered someone who coached with such intensity and passion. He credits Arteta for his coaching style, which deeply influenced Wilshere while he was completing his UEFA A Licence. “I’d never seen someone coach that way,” he says. “I saw his passion and how he would try to teach players, both in meetings and on the pitch. It inspired me.”
Wilshere’s coaching journey began shortly after he retired from playing in 2022 when he took on the role of head coach of Arsenal’s under-18s. In his first season, he guided the team to the 2023 FA Youth Cup final, where they were narrowly defeated by West Ham. This experience prepared him for his first senior coaching role with Norwich, where he became a first-team coach under Johannes Hoff Thorup.
Despite his success as a player, Wilshere acknowledges that coaching is a whole new challenge. “It doesn’t matter how good you were as a player, it’s a completely different skillset,” he explains. Coaching, particularly at senior levels, is more about adaptation and leadership. As an under-18s coach, Wilshere admits it was initially hard to understand why some players couldn’t execute skills he took for granted. However, his assistant coach, Adam Birchall, helped him adjust to the developmental differences in young players. Birchall, who had a career in the lower leagues, brought a balance of understanding to the team’s growth.
Wilshere speaks highly of players like Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly, both of whom showed exceptional promise during their time in the youth ranks. He describes Nwaneri as driven, constantly seeking feedback, while Lewis-Skelly stands out for his leadership and team-oriented mindset. Wilshere recognizes that Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly have the potential to play at the highest levels, and he sees them as potential future stars for both Arsenal and the England national team.
Reflecting on the role of youth academies, Wilshere emphasizes the importance of nurturing creativity and individualism in players. He highlights how Arsène Wenger’s philosophy of allowing young players to develop their own understanding of the game shaped his own approach to coaching. In contrast to the current trend of structured, formulaic training, Wilshere advocates for allowing players to take on more responsibility and freedom on the pitch.
Wilshere also shares his experience running the London Marathon to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation, a cause close to his heart after his daughter underwent open heart surgery. While the marathon is physically demanding, Wilshere describes it as mentally challenging, with long training sessions making him reflect on the importance of having a goal and purpose, just like in coaching.
At 33, Wilshere is still early in his coaching career, but his experiences as a player, coupled with his passion for the game, indicate a promising future ahead. His journey, marked by a transition from player to coach, shows that while the path may be different, it is one he’s ready to navigate with the same determination that defined his playing days.
