Former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere is set to join Championship side Norwich City as a first-team coach. Wilshere, 32, has been in charge of Arsenal’s Under-18 team since 2022, leading them to the FA Youth Cup final last season.

According to reports, Wilshere was identified as Norwich’s top choice to replace Narcis Pelach, who left for Stoke City. A compensation package with Arsenal is being finalized, and an official announcement is expected soon.

Wilshere’s close relationship with Norwich’s sporting director, Ben Knapper, played a significant role in his decision. Norwich’s manager, Johannes Hoff Thorup, confirmed the club is close to making an appointment.

Wilshere had previously applied for the Aberdeen manager position and held talks with MLS team Colorado Rapids. His attention to detail and willingness to take on the challenge made him stand out as the ideal candidate for Norwich.

Norwich’s hierarchy met with highly rated Danish coach Fatah Abdirahman and another unnamed coach from overseas before focusing on Wilshere.

At a press conference, Norwich manager Johannes Hoff Thorup said, “We are getting closer. I think we can say we are close to finding the candidate we want. And then, of course, there’s discussions between clubs and agents. There’s so many parts of this where to set a timeline on it is sometimes tricky and sometimes difficult, but again, we are getting closer.”