JACK WILSHERE has been told he will not be kept on as the next permanent Norwich City manager.
Wilshere, 33, was made interim boss of the Canaries following Johannes Hoff Thorup’s dismissal on April 22, stepping up from his role as a first team coach.
The former Arsenal and England star, whose career was cut short by injuries, had impressed during his short spell as boss.
He led the team to a 0-0 away draw against Middlesbrough and a 4-2 home victory over Cardiff City on the final day of the season.
Wilshere’s Bluebirds thrashing was against his former Gunners midfield partner Aaron Ramsey, who had been given the Cardiff job on a temporary basis too.
But despite Wilshere impressing in the technical area, Norwich sporting director Ben Knapper has revealed that the club’s search for a new manager will be “focused externally”.
He told BBC Radio Norfolk: “Jack is a fantastic person, he and I have a big history together.
“He’s a great coach and will be a fantastic head coach, but that’s not going to be here at this particular moment in time.”
Knapper and Wilshere know each other well, having crossed paths during his time at Arsenal.
Knapper previously worked as Arsenal’s loans manager from 2019 to 2023.
Wilshere was forced to retire at the age of 30 after battling with injuries throughout his career.
After bursting on the scene at Arsenal as a teenager, Wilshere went on to have spells playing at West Ham, Bournemouth and Danish outfit Aarhus GF, before deciding his injuries had got the better of him.
It was the same summer as his retirement that the former rising star began his role as head coach of the Gunners’ U18s.
During his first season as boss of the youth team he managed to guide the youngsters to the FA Youth Cup final, ultimately losing to West Ham.
While he also helped nurture talent such as Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Wilshere was previously linked with making a huge leap into senior management last year.
The Arsenal legend reportedly held talks with MLS side Colorado Rapids about becoming their head coach, but a switch never materialised.
It remains to be seen whether Wilshere will continue as a coach with Norwich next season or will look to find a job elsewhere as a manager.
Since the season ended for Norwich, Wilshere returned to punditry as he joined TNT Sports’ in Paris to watch former club Arsenal take on Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
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