Norwich in advanced talks with Arsenal to appoint Jack Wilshere as first-team coach

Norwich are in advanced talks with Arsenal to appoint Jack Wilshere as their first-team coach.

Wilshere has agreed to succeed Narcis Pelach at Carrow Road after he left the club last month to take over as Stoke boss.

Norwich are increasingly confident of luring Wilshere away from Arsenal after identifying the former England international as their preferred man for the role.

The Championship club are working out a compensation package with Arsenal for their Under-18s manager but he is not thought to be likely to complete the move in time for the trip to Stoke on Saturday.

Wilshere held talks with MLS club Colorado Rapids about becoming their head coach in October last year, but eventually remained at the Emirates.

The 32-year-old began his role in the Arsenal academy in the summer of 2022 shortly after retiring and led his side to the FA Youth Cup final in his first season in charge where they were beaten by West Ham.

Coaching has revitalised Wilshere’s love for the game after battling injuries in the latter stages of his career.

“I love it, honestly,” he told The Independent in April last year. “It’s given me back the real deep love for football and I didn’t know I’d lost it to be honest. I came back here last year and I was coaching a bit, training a bit.

“I love it. On the grass, trying to beat teams, trying to work out a way to play against teams, trying to develop an individual."

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