Jack Wilshere to Depart Norwich City After Missing Out on Permanent Manager Role
Jack Wilshere is set to leave Norwich City after it was confirmed he would not be appointed as the club’s next full-time manager.
Sporting director Ben Knapper announced last week that the former England midfielder would not be taking over permanently from Johannes Hoff Thorup, despite being placed in interim charge for the final two games of the 2024/25 season. Instead, the club intends to bring in a new head coach from outside.
Wilshere joined Norwich in October 2024 from Arsenal, where he was managing the under-18 side. He reunited at Carrow Road with Knapper, who had previously been Arsenal’s loans manager before moving to Norwich in late 2023. Although Wilshere signed a two-and-a-half-year contract, he will now depart just over six months into his time in Norfolk.
His departure comes as little surprise to supporters, particularly after his comments in his first press conference as interim manager, where he openly expressed his ambition to lead a senior team full-time.
Norwich City fan and Football League World contributor Zeke Downes said:
“I’m not at all surprised that Wilshere is moving on — he clearly wants to be a manager. It was unlikely he’d hang around after being overlooked for the permanent role. If Thorup had stayed, maybe Wilshere would’ve too, but given the circumstances, this outcome was expected.”
Downes added that while Wilshere has shown promise and drive, it may have been premature to hand him the job at this stage in his coaching journey.
Looking ahead, it’s advised that Wilshere avoids aiming too high too soon. While he impressed during his brief stint in charge — which included matches against Middlesbrough and Cardiff City — his limited experience in men’s senior football makes him more suited to a developmental role at a lower-tier club.
A position in League One or a coaching opportunity abroad may offer the best environment for him to grow as a manager without the intense pressure found at higher levels.
