by The former Arsenal and England midfielder has agreed to succeed Narcis Pelach at Carrow Road as first-team coach and confidence is growing over the prospect of a deal.
Wilshere was City’s unanimous first choice for the position after sounding out several candidates. After discussions about the position took place last week, it emerged that the 32-year-old is their preferred option.
A remuneration package is currently being negotiated with Arsenal, where he currently works as U18 coach, and the deal is expected to be confirmed in the coming days barring any subsequent issues. Despite the Canaries’ interest, it is understood the Premier League challengers are proud of Wilshere’s development and would welcome a departure.
City sporting director Ben Knapper and Wilshere have a close relationship dating back to their time together at Arsenal and that has prompted the former England star to make the jump to Norfolk to support Thorup on his journey to Carrow Road.
A deal allowing Wilshere to join the Canaries squad at Colney could be completed early next week, but he is not expected to join Thorup, Glen Riddersholm, Nick Stanley and new goalkeeping coach Tony for Saturday’s trip Roberts will be on the bench at Stoke.
City’s search began when Stoke poached Pelach to replace Steven Schumacher as head coach last month. Academy manager Joe Shulberg held the position on an interim basis while the search for a replacement continued.
After initial discussions with Randers coach Fatah Abdirahman and another unnamed coach from a foreign club who is also said to be known to Knapper, City have approached Wilshere about taking on the role.
City are believed to have been impressed by the final two candidates in the long-distance discussions that took place last week, but Wilshere’s detail and willingness to take on the challenge gave him the advantage over his nearest challenger.
Wilshere ended his own playing career after a short spell in Denmark with AGF, before officially retiring from football in July 2022 at the age of 30 and becoming a coach in the Arsenal academy later that month.
Coaching has reinvigorated Wilshere’s love of the game after he struggled with injuries, form and consistency in the latter stages of his career, which saw him win the FA Cup twice, play 197 times for Arsenal and earn 34 caps for England.
“I love it, to be honest,” he told the Independent about his first year as coach in April 2023
“It gave me a really deep love of football back and to be honest I didn’t know I had lost it. I came back here last year and did a bit of training and training.
“I love it. On the pitch I try to beat teams, try to find a way to play against teams, try to develop an individual.
Wilshere has previously been linked to head coaching roles of his own – including holding talks with MLS side Colorado Rapids and was reported to have applied for the Aberdeen job earlier this year.
Thorup confirmed at his pre-trip press conference on Saturday that the focus is on Pelach’s successor.
“We’re getting closer. I think we can say that we are close to finding the candidate we want,” he said. “And then of course there are discussions between clubs and consultants. There are so many parts of this that are sometimes difficult and sometimes difficult to put a timeline on, but again we’re getting closer.
“Whether it works out for Stoke is perhaps overly optimistic in my opinion. But of course it can develop quickly, so there is a chance, but perhaps it is more realistic to say early next week.”
