Jack Wilshere has been confirmed as the new manager of Luton Town, marking his first permanent role as a head coach. The 33-year-old former Arsenal and England midfielder briefly served as caretaker manager at Norwich City at the end of last season, but was overlooked for the permanent position there and for the vacancy at Plymouth Argyle.
Wilshere takes over from Matt Bloomfield, who was sacked last week with Luton sitting mid-table in League One. The club were in the Premier League during the 2023-24 season but have suffered back-to-back relegations.
Wilshere began his career in Luton's centre of excellence before joining Arsenal at the age of nine. 'It’s a huge honour and a privilege to be named Luton Town manager,' he told the club's website. '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.'
Since retiring in July 2022, Wilshere has worked as an academy coach at Arsenal and as first-team coach under Johannes Hoff Thorup at Norwich. His first match in charge will be at home to Mansfield on Saturday.
Chris Powell, who has extensive managerial experience with Charlton Athletic and the England national team, has been appointed as Wilshere's assistant.
Luton's chief executive, Gary Sweet, highlighted Wilshere's enduring connection to the club: 'That started as a very young boy in our youth system and has continued throughout his life, always living locally and with close friends who are long-term season ticket holders at Kenilworth Road.'
