Jack Wilshere confirmed in 1st manager job | OneFootball

Jack Wilshere has been appointed as Luton Town’s first-team manager, with the club confirming the decision on Monday morning.

Photo via LutonTown.co.uk

Luton Town confirmed on Monday that Jack Wilshere is returning to the club as their first-team manager, with Chris Powell to work as his assistant.

Wilshere had spent around a year with Luton during his youth career, before joining Arsenal at the age of nine. He’s previously coached the Arsenal u18s and worked as an assistant manager at Norwich City, but this is his first full senior managerial appointment.

“It’s a huge honour and a privilege to be named Luton Town manager,” Wilshere said.

“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.

“I couldn’t be more delighted to be here – I can’t wait to manage this football club.”

Photo via LutonTown.co.uk

Wilshere is set to take charge of Luton immediately, with his first game on Saturday, October 18th. Luton host Mansfield Town in a League One clash at Kenilworth Road.

Luton have been struggling since their season in the Premier League in 2023/24, suffering consecutive relegations to end up in League One. Previous manager Matt Bloomfield was sacked last week, and the club have moved quickly to appoint Wilshere in his place.

A club statement on Bloomfield’s spell suggested that performances and results in Luton’s opening 11 games weren’t good enough, with the team winning five, drawing one, and losing five to sit 11th.

The club will be aiming for promotion this season, but they have some ground to make up on the top teams first.

Photo via Arsenal.com

Wilshere was offered a coaching job back at Arsenal earlier this year, but it was a youth role. The former Gunner would have been coaching the u19s in the UEFA Youth League and the u21s in the EFL Trophy, as well as working as an assistant to Max Porter with the u21s in the Premier League 2.

In the end, Wilshere turned that job down in favour of pursuing a first-team job, which is what he’s now found. Arsenal hired David Horseman to their u19/u21 hybrid role instead.