Theo Walcott has expressed his surprise at Jack Wilshere's recent appointment as manager of Luton Town, admitting he never envisioned his former Arsenal teammate taking that career path. Wilshere, at 33, has embarked on his first full-time managerial role, a move that Walcott finds both unexpected and intriguing.
Walcott, who shared a dressing room with Wilshere when the latter was a "brazen" 16-year-old, acknowledges Wilshere's immense potential as a player, but notes that his playing career, while promising, didn't fully reach its anticipated heights. Despite this, Walcott believes Wilshere has diligently prepared himself for management. After leaving his position as Arsenal Under-18s coach in the summer of 2024, Wilshere opted to gain experience as a first-team coach at Norwich City under Johannes Hoff Thorup, while simultaneously earning his UEFA Pro License. This decision to avoid rushing into a managerial role impressed Walcott, who feels Wilshere has "put in his due diligence".
"To be honest, I never thought Jack would be a manager," Walcott stated. However, reflecting on Wilshere's journey, Walcott recognizes the maturity and preparation Wilshere has demonstrated. "He's really learned about himself, of what he wants from other people, and not to expect to be right at the top straight away," Walcott observed.
Walcott believes Wilshere possesses the qualities to revitalize Luton Town. He highlights Wilshere's ability to connect with people, particularly younger players, which he believes will be beneficial in his new role. Walcott acknowledges the challenges Wilshere will face, especially in the initial stages, but remains confident in his long-term success. “He's really good with people,” Walcott added. “Because he's young, a lot of the guys can relate to him. I think that's really helpful for them".
Walcott also hinted at the possibility of following a similar path into management himself. While he is currently working as a club ambassador for Arsenal and a contributor for Sky Sports, the transition of his former teammate into management has seemingly sparked an interest in Walcott.
Wilshere's appointment at Luton marks a significant step in his post-playing career. After retiring from professional football, he returned to Arsenal as a youth coach, guiding the Under-18s to the FA Youth Cup final. His move to Norwich provided him with valuable experience in a first-team environment, preparing him for the challenges of managing his own team. While his managerial journey begins at a lower level compared to some of his England contemporaries like Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, and Wayne Rooney, Walcott believes this is the right move for Wilshere, allowing him to learn and grow as a manager.
