Football League World
·13 October 2025
Sky Sports pundit reacts as Luton Town appoint Jack Wilshere - "Do they know what they want?"

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·13 October 2025
Tim Sherwood has questioned Luton Town's managerial process after Jack Wilshere beat Richie Wellens to the job.
Tim Sherwood has questioned Luton Town’s managerial process after Jack Wilshere was named as the new head coach ahead of Richie Wellens.
The Hatters made the decision to sack Matt Bloomfield after a disappointing defeat to Stevenage left the team languishing in mid-table, with promotion the aim for the club following their relegation last season.
They have wasted little time in finding Bloomfield’s successor, as Wilshere was named as the new boss on a three-year contract.
Clearly, the major risk that comes with Wilshere is his lack of experience, with the 33-year-old taking on his first job as a manager, with his only previous coaching experience coming at Arsenal U18s and part of Johannes Hoff Thorup’s backroom team at Norwich.
But, Wilshere is highly-rated in the game, and he must have impressed those making the decisions at Kenilworth Road, as he saw off competition from Wellens to land the job, with FLW exclusively revealing those two, along with Luke Williams, had made the final shortlist.
And, speaking on Sky Sports, pundit Sherwood explained why that was a potential worry for him, as he highlighted how Wilshere and Wellens are so different, which meant he questioned if Luton knew what they wanted from Bloomfield’s replacement.
“The only reason that I’m sceptical about this, is that Richie Wellens and Jack Wilshere are chalk and cheese.
“We’re talking about a man who has lived a whole life in League One in Richie, who knows it upside down and inside out, and with Jack, it’s his first managerial role. So, did they know what they were looking for? It’s not like-for-like.
“I remember once speaking to West Brom about the job, and leaving the talks, going home, waking up the next morning and expecting to sign a contract, and then my phone was going mad as Tony Pulis had got the job. I couldn’t believe it after speaking to them, because it's a similar situation. I was a new manager, and someone who had been there and done it, and a safe pair of hands in Pulis.
“It was ridiculous, you would expect someone like-for-like. So, do they know what they want? I hope he does well, I really do.”
You can understand Sherwood’s point here to a degree, as if they wanted a manager who had proven himself in League One, then Wellens was the obvious choice.
However, the reality is that Wilshere would never get a job if that was a priority, as he is yet to take on a managerial role. Plus, in terms of style of play, he may have similarities to Wellens, who encourages fast, attacking football.
So, Luton may argue that the two do share a similar profile in how they want their teams to play, which would make sense.
Ultimately, there were always going to be some questions about Wilshere due to his lack of experience, but key figures at Luton have spoken to him throughout the interview process, and they obviously liked what they heard.
Now, it’s down to Wilshere to repay the faith that has been shown in him, and it’s imperative that he gets off to a fast start to ensure any talk about his lack of experience is dismissed quickly. He is inheriting a squad that is full of talent by League One standards, and promotion must still be the aim for the side.