Jack Wilshere Reflects on Coaching Journey, Cites Mikel Arteta's Influence
The former Arsenal midfielder discusses his transition to management and lessons learned from his playing career.
Jack Wilshere, now the manager of Luton Town, has spoken about his journey from a celebrated playing career to coaching, drawing parallels with his experiences and the influence of figures like Mikel Arteta. Wilshere, 34, has returned to his childhood club, Luton Town, where he began his football journey at the age of seven. His career saw him win FA Cups with Arsenal and represent England in major tournaments before injuries cut short his playing days.
Wilshere's first senior management role at Luton began in October, a year prior to this interview. He has already achieved success, guiding the team to an EFL Trophy title. He expressed gratitude to the club for the opportunity to start his managerial career early. His transition to coaching began immediately after retiring, joining Arsenal's under-18s team, where he discovered a passion for management.
During his time coaching at Arsenal's academy, Wilshere observed Mikel Arteta, then the first-team manager. Arteta's approach to coaching, including his training session preparation and tactical explanations, significantly influenced Wilshere. He found Arteta's willingness to share his reasoning behind coaching decisions invaluable, helping Wilshere understand the 'why' behind tactical instructions, a deeper understanding he aims to impart to his own players.
Wilshere has also coached emerging talents like Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri, and Max Dowman. He recalled spotting Dowman's potential at a young age, noting the player's advanced skill level even when very young. Wilshere aims to guide Luton Town to promotion this season.
Reflecting on his own playing career, Wilshere acknowledges past mistakes, such as being pictured drinking and smoking early in his career, which led to criticism from Arsene Wenger. He now uses these experiences to guide his young players, emphasizing the importance of accountability while also providing second chances. His man-management skills were evident in a viral half-time team talk that contributed to Luton's comeback victory against Reading earlier in the season. Wilshere believes in building strong relationships with players, fostering a hard-working environment, and maintaining a deep love for the game to navigate the challenges of management.