Claim made about whether Jack Wilshere has been “fast tracked” at Norwich City | OneFootball

FLW's Norwich City fan pundit shares honest opinion on Wilshere’s potential permanent appointment

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Jack Wilshere is likely to land a permanent job with Norwich City at the conclusion of the 24/25 season, according to EFL expert Graeme Bailey.

Former Arsenal midfielder Wilshere has been in charge of the Canaries on an interim basis following the sacking of Johannes Hoff Thorup.

The Danish coach had overseen a dismal run in the lead up to his removal, with just one win in 10 seeing Norwich slip away from the play-off places.

Jack Wilshere’s interim role prompts debate about Norwich City’s coaching direction

With reports emerging that Wilshere will be the long-term replacement for Thorup, Football League World spoke with Norwich City fan pundit, Zeke Downes, as to whether the news felt risky to Canaries fans, and whether it felt like the plan all along from Sporting Director Ben Knapper.

“Not really sure how I would feel about it, because we’ve just got rid of a guy that’s young and inexperienced, and if it then goes to Wilshere, he’s even younger and even more inexperienced,” Downes told FLW.

“But it did seem like this would happen, because as soon as he was put in temporary charge, he was doing a lot of media, a lot of interviews online and whatever, about him having the job and that doesn’t ever happen as an interim coach, so it was quite easy to see that from the outside.

“I don’t know how I feel, because obviously he could end up being really good, but it just feels like he has been there just in case the whole time, either if Thorup was sacked, or he moved on to another club.

“I don’t think they expected to sack Thorup. I think they were thinking it was a long-term thing, and he would be poached in the end, so this has been fast-tracked a bit, but it could end up as a really good situation.

“He already knows the players and the club. He has a bit of authority through his name and what he did in his career, so that might help, but it’s hard to really know because it’ll be judged - not judged off - but we will judge it off two games - one was just a 0-0 draw, and the other was against a team that’s already relegated, so it’s really hard to really get an actual idea about what he will be like, and what it’ll be like next year.

“But it does definitely feel like he was always going to get the job at some point, but it’s definitely sooner than expected.”

Jack Wilshere’s appointment comes sooner than expected but could pay off long-term

While Wilshere’s appointment might feel premature to some Norwich fans, it carries a sense of inevitability.

His familiarity with the squad, high-profile playing career, and increased media presence suggest a carefully considered transition, even if the Canaries' original plan was expedited.

Whether he can translate promise into performance remains to be seen - but with expectations tempered and time on his side, Wilshere may yet prove a savvy, forward-thinking appointment.