Jack Wilshere’s tenure as Arsenal’s Under-18 head coach has come to an end, with the former Gunners midfielder departing the club for a first-team coaching role at Norwich City.

He will officially join Norwich on Thursday after his departure from Arsenal was announced on Wednesday, taking up a position as an assistant to Norwich head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup.

This move marks a significant step in Wilshere’s coaching career, transitioning from youth football into the senior game. Former Arsenal loan manager Ben Knapper, now Norwich City’s sporting director, was reportedly instrumental in facilitating Wilshere’s appointment.

Wilshere had been coaching Arsenal’s Under-18s since July 2022, with the highlight of his tenure being a run to the final of the FA Youth Cup in the 2022/23 season.

Despite the ever-changing availability of key players due to their promotion to higher squads, Wilshere managed to maintain a relatively strong start to the current campaign.

Notably, his young side picked up wins against London rivals West Ham and Chelsea, before going on a series of thrilling 3-3 draws against West Brom, Southampton, and Brighton.

Their unbeaten run ended at the weekend with a loss to Aston Villa.

The Under-18s under Wilshere were somewhat victims of their own talent. Promising players like Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly, who would ideally have been key figures in the Under-18 setup, found themselves called up to first-team duties instead.

Similarly, Ayden Heaven moved into the Under-21s, while Jack Porter also received call-ups at higher levels. The absence of these talents meant younger players, such as 14-year-old Max Dowman, were thrust into regular Under-18 roles.

Wilshere’s departure has reportedly left some at the academy concerned. According to Now Arsenal on Threads, sources close to Dowman’s family expressed disappointment at the coach’s exit, considering Wilshere’s significant influence on the young prospect.

There was also reportedly a sense of dismay within parts of the academy that Arsenal did not do more to retain Wilshere, despite Academy Manager Per Mertesacker‘s understanding of Wilshere’s choice to leave.

Mertesacker commented on the move, saying: “Jack’s development as a coach over the past two seasons has been really impressive. Jack has represented Arsenal in the best possible way, both as a player and in his role as an academy coach. Jack has not only been a role model for our younger generation on the pitch – showing the young players the skills required at the highest level – but has also demonstrated every day how to be the best possible person.”

He continued: “Of course, we are all sad to see Jack leave, but we are so proud that we have played a positive part in his development into the next stage of his career as a young coach. We wish Jack and his family well at Norwich City, and his many friends here will be keeping in close contact with him as his journey in coaching continues.”

Wilshere himself also spoke about his time at Arsenal, reflecting positively on his tenure with the Under-18s. “I’ve loved every minute of my time as Under-18s head coach and would like to thank Edu, Per, Mikel, my colleagues in the academy and everyone at the club for their fantastic support during my time in the role. As everyone knows, Arsenal is and always will be part of who I am, and the club means so much to me. However, this opportunity has come at the right time to progress my coaching career within a first-team environment,” Wilshere said.

Wilshere added that he shares a special bond with the players and staff at Arsenal and remains proud of the work achieved over the past two and a half years. “It’s been a privilege to have been involved in the development and progression of such a special group, and I’ll be continuing to watch and support from afar. The future is exciting both for the academy players and the club, and I know the group I’ve been working with will continue to progress and have the potential to achieve great things.”

Wilshere concluded by saying: “This club will always be close to my heart and for me, this is a ‘see you again’ rather than ‘goodbye’.”

Following Wilshere’s departure, Adam Birchall has been appointed as Arsenal’s new Under-18s head coach. Birchall, who has been part of the Arsenal Academy coaching staff for over two years, will step up from his role as assistant coach with immediate effect.

Academy Manager Per Mertesacker commented, “Adam has a wealth of experience at Arsenal, having worked at every phase of our Academy, most recently as our Under-17s head coach and Under-18s assistant coach. He is a highly-qualified and highly-skilled individual who will transition into his new role effortlessly.”

Mertesacker added, “Having played for our Academy and coached here for almost 10 years, Adam is a key member of the Arsenal family. We are confident that Adam will lead this important age group in a forward-thinking, exciting, and energetic way.”

Adam rejoined Arsenal in July 2016 as the Under-18s assistant coach and has since played a key role in the development of the Under-18 squad. His first game in charge will be an away match against Norwich City Under-18s this Saturday.

For Wilshere, the move to Norwich represents a pivotal moment in his journey towards becoming a first-team coach at the highest level, a path that many at Arsenal will be watching with keen interest, hoping one day he returns to the club once again.