Arsenal youth coach Jack Wilshere in contention for surprise managerial role: report

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Arsenal cult hero Jack Wilshere played with Wayne Rooney for England – and the former could take inspiration from the latter's managerial path

Jack Wilshere Arsenal U18s manager FA Youth Cup
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Former Arsenal and England midfielder Jack Wilshere could make his first step into senior management after making a strong impression while being in charge of Arsenal U18s.

Still only 31, Wilshere retired in July 2022, following an ill-fated few years at West Ham United, Bournemouth and Danish side Aarhus Gymnastikforening (AGF).

Since retiring, Wilshere managed the Arsenal youth side to the 2022/23 FA Youth Cup final during his first season in charge. While the young Gunners side lost to West Ham United 5-1, Wilshere's work with the side hasn't gone unnoticed, and he could be in line to take charge of a senior side for the first time in his fledgling managerial career.

Jack Wilshere during the pre season friendly between Arsenal U18 and Sutton United at London Colney on July 11, 2023 in St Albans, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Wilshere is thriving in his role as Arsenal U18s head coach (Image credit: Getty Images)

The Athletic are reporting that Colorado Rapids made a formal approach to Arsenal to speak with Wilshere, and the former midfielder reportedly gave a good impression to the owners during the chat.

Colorado Rapids are owned by Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, the same group which owns Arsenal. Regardless, the MLS side are looking to bring in their next manager after parting ways with Robin Fraser last month, with the club rock bottom of the Western Conference.

Wilshere need only look at the recent Birmingham City appointment of Wayne Rooney to see how managing in MLS could benefit his career - especially when considering his former England team-mate only managed a win percentage of 26.4 per cent during his season-and-a-half at DC United.

Wayne Rooney, Manager of Birmingham City, reacts during a press conference as Wayne Rooney is presented as new Birmingham City manager at St Andrew's Trillion Trophy Stadium on October 12, 2023 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)

Wilshere could follow in the footsteps of Rooney (Image credit: Getty Images)

The current Arsenal youth boss has also been open to moving across the pond during his playing career, too. In 2020, he told Sky Sports that a new start in MLS could signal a fresh start for him after a torrid spell of injuries.

“I don’t think I’m too young for the MLS. I think there’s been a big improvement in that league. If the right opportunity came up I’d be open to it,” Wilshere said.

More Arsenal, Jack Wilshere and Wayne Rooney stories

Wilshere told FourFourTwo, prior to his retirement, that "it's been a while since I've enjoyed football".

Wayne Rooney's own son dropped a massive hint that he'd be joining Birmingham City, three days before he was actually announced.

Meanwhile, Aaron Ramsdale has been labelled 'f*cking weird' by one of his ex-Gunners teammates.

Ryan Dabbs
Ryan Dabbs
Staff writer

Ryan is a staff writer for FourFourTwo, joining the team full-time in October 2022. He first joined Future in December 2020, working across FourFourTwo, Golf Monthly, Rugby World and Advnture's websites, before eventually earning himself a position with FourFourTwo permanently. After graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in Journalism and Communications, Ryan earned a NCTJ qualification to further develop as a writer while a Trainee News Writer at Future.