Jack Wilshere
Jack Andrew Garry Wilshere (born 1 January 1992) is an English football coach and former professional player who played as a midfielder. He is the head coach of the Arsenal under-18 team.
Personal information
Jack Andrew Garry Wilshere[1]
1 January 1992
Stevenage, England
5 ft 8 in (1.72 m)[1]
Arsenal U18 (head coach)
Team
→ Bolton Wanderers (loan)
→ AFC Bournemouth (loan)
Wilshere came up through Arsenal's youth academy and made his first-team debut in 2008, becoming Arsenal's youngest league debutant at the age of 16 years, 256 days. He earned a number of accolades including the PFA Young Player of the Year award, selection to the 2010–11 PFA Team of the Year, and Arsenal's Player of the Season award,. After leaving Arsenal in 2018, Wilshere joined West Ham United where he remained for two years before departing by mutual consent. He then had short spells at AFC Bournemouth and AGF, before announcing his retirement from playing in 2022.
Wilshere appeared 34 times for the England national team, having previously represented his country at under-age levels. He made his debut for the senior team against Hungary at the age of 18 years and 222 days, making him the 12th-youngest debutant for England. He represented England at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2016.
Early life
Wilshere was born on 1 January 1992 in Stevenage, Hertfordshire.[1] He grew up in nearby Hitchin, and captained his school team. He captained the Priory School football team to County Cup and District Cup glory from Year 7 through to Year 10, and also added the Under 15s National Cup to his list in Year 8.[2] He was a boyhood fan of West Ham United, his idol being Paolo Di Canio.[3]
International career
Youth
Since 2006, the England national youth teams played Wilshere in an age group above his age. Wilshere was just 14 when he played for the England national under-16 team at the 2006 Victory Shield. At the age of 15, he began playing for the England national under-17 team.[39] He was then named in the squad for the 2009 UEFA European Under-17 Championship in May, starting the first two matches, particularly impressing in the second match against Germany before going off with an injury which kept him out of the final match.[109][110] After the tournament, he was named among the 10 future stars from the tournament.[111]
On 11 September 2009, he also came on as substitute for his England under-21 debut against the Netherlands in a 0–0 draw.[112]
Coaching career
On 11 July 2022, four days after announcing his retirement from playing, Wilshere was announced as head coach of the Arsenal under-18 team.[133] He led the team to the final of the 2022–23 FA Youth Cup in his first season in charge, in which they lost to the West Ham.[134]
Personal life
Wilshere was arrested in the early hours of the morning on 29 August 2010 in connection with a "fracas".[148] However, it appeared Wilshere played the role of peacemaker, and so did not face charges but received a caution.[149]
On 26 September 2013, Wilshere's partner, Lauren Neal, gave birth to their second child.[150] Wilshere and Neal separated in 2014, and in 2017 he married Andriani Michael.[151]
Honours
Player
Arsenal U18