Report: Jack Wilshere turns down chance to return to Arsenal academy coaching staff

Jack Wilshere has reportedly turned down the chance to return to Arsenal’s academy coaching staff as he focuses on attempting to get a job in senior management.

Wilshere was in charge of Arsenal’s U18 team from July 2022 until October 2024, when he left to become part of the first-team coaching staff at Norwich City.

After having two games in charge as Norwich caretaker manager at the end of last season Wilshere left the Canaries having been overlooked for the permanent job.

Wilshere had been linked with a return to Arsenal, who have yet to confirm a permanent replacement for Mehmet Ali as U21 coach.

According to The Athletic, Wilshere wasn’t offered the full time U21 job and was instead given the chance to be U19 coach as well as overseeing the U21s for EFL Trophy fixtures and being part of the U21 coaching staff for other games.

Wilshere has now declined that offer and it is anticipated that Max Porter, who has been in interim charge, will now get the U21s job on a full time basis.