In a significant development for both Luton Town and Jack Wilshere, the former England midfielder has been appointed as the club’s new first-team manager, marking his first permanent senior managerial role.
The 33-year-old takes over at Kenilworth Road following the departure of Matt Bloomfield, with hopes high that his appointment will help arrest the club’s recent slide and restore momentum.
Luton’s decision to turn to Wilshere comes amid a challenging period for the club. After enjoying a spell in the Premier League in 2023–24, the Hatters suffered back-to-back relegations and currently find themselves in League One, with performance under Bloomfield judged insufficient to reverse the downturn.
Bloomfield was dismissed after the club languished midtable — just eleven wins from 33 matches in their last campaign — and Luton’s board moved swiftly to identify a successor.
Wilshere’s links with Luton stretch back to his formative years in football. Born in Stevenage and raised in nearby Hitchin, he played in Luton’s youth setup before being snapped up by Arsenal at age nine. In reflecting on the announcement, he described the appointment as a “full-circle moment.”
“I was eight when I first came to Luton as a boy, so I guess you could say it’s fate that my first full-time club managerial position is at this club,” Wilshere said. “It’s a huge honour and a privilege to be named Luton Town manager. I couldn’t be more delighted to be here — I can’t wait to manage this football club.”
His recent coaching trajectory has included a stint as head coach of Arsenal’s Under-18s, where he led the youth side to the FA Youth Cup final in 2023, and more recently a role on the first-team coaching staff at Norwich City.
In April 2025, following the dismissal of head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup, Wilshere served as interim manager for Norwich’s closing fixtures, guiding the side to a draw against Middlesbrough and a win over Cardiff. His interim spell, however, did not lead to a permanent role, and he now embarks on his first full-time top-level managerial assignment.
To support him at Luton, Wilshere has enlisted the services of Chris Powell as assistant manager. Powell brings extensive experience in English football, from managerial spells at Charlton Athletic to roles with the England national setup. Powell is expected to provide a steadying influence and complement Wilshere’s more modern coaching instincts.
Luton’s chief executive, Gary Sweet, spoke warmly of Wilshere’s credentials and local connections. “Jack’s passion, intelligence, and modern approach to the game align perfectly with the values and ambitions of Luton Town,” Sweet said. “His experience at the highest level and commitment to developing talent make him the ideal fit for our next chapter. He has impressed everyone involved in our extensive selection process with his passion for football, his determination to succeed in management and his deep knowledge of all things Luton Town.”
He added that Wilshere’s early association with the club, his local roots, and a prior summer training session with the first team had all played a role in cementing the decision. “It was during his time training with our first team at The Brache in the summer of 2022 where he refamiliarised himself with Luton, and realised the time was right to follow his coaching path,” Sweet said.
Wilshere inherits a squad familiar with his story. Some players in the current roster were at Luton when he passed through the club’s youth ranks, and the shared legacy is likely to ease his entry.
Club insiders suggest that his first tasks will include reestablishing confidence, reintroducing a more aggressive pressing style, and focusing on youth development to inject energy into a side that has struggled for consistency this season.
The timing of Wilshere’s arrival is critical: his debut match in charge is scheduled at home against Mansfield Town this Saturday. The fixture presents a testing but clear opportunity to make a statement of intent. Luton, currently midtable and under pressure to rebound, will demand immediate signs of improvement.