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It took Luton Town 10 years to climb from non-league football to the Premier League, but just two to slide halfway back again.
Putting their faith in 33-year-old Jack Wilshere, with just two games of senior head coach experience behind him, to arrest that slide may therefore be regarded by some as a brave decision.
Experience, though, is no guarantee of anything in football as Steve Bruce found out in his recent spell in charge of Blackpool, which came to an end two days before Matt Bloomfield was sacked by Luton.
Bloomfield had Wycombe competing for a top-two place in League One just 12 months ago, a situation he was unable to replicate at Kenilworth Road.
There are many intangibles in building a successful team but Luton believe that in Wilshere, they now have a young manager capable to re-energising the club and pushing it back in the right direction of travel.
When Wilshere was recruited by Norwich City in November last year, sporting director Ben Knapper described him as “one of the brightest and most exciting young coaches in the country”.
Having been put in charge of Arsenal’s under-18 side following the end of his playing career, he guided them to the FA Youth Cup final in 2022-23.
And when the Canaries sacked Johannes Hoff Thorup in April, it was to Wilshere they turned to oversee the final two games of the campaign – a goalless draw at Middlesbrough and 4-2 home win over Cardiff City.
Despite that positive start, the Championship club did not feel he was ready to be given the job on a full-time basis, but the former England midfielder was unwilling to step back into a supporting role.
“Jack made a big impact here in the time he was with us. He built great connections with our players and staff, and we’re all sad to see him move on,” Knapper said following Wilshere’s decision to leave Carrow Road.
“He leaves with our very best wishes and we’ll follow his progress closely. I’ve no doubt he’ll go on to have a very successful coaching career in the senior game.”
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What kind of manager will Wilshere be?
Finding a system to bring the best out of a squad containing several summer signings was one of the major headaches for Bloomfield – and that will undoubtedly be one of the first orders of business for Wilshere as he settles in.
But what kind of a manager are Luton getting?
BBC Radio Norfolk’s Norwich City commentator Rob Butler believes he will be a good fit for a club with a family feel, having taken an interest in youngsters and players with disabilities and additional needs, as well as the first team, at Carrow Road.
“He felt really strongly about that, so that says a lot about what Jack Wilshere is like as a person,” Butler told BBC Three Counties Radio.
“It’s difficult to judge (him) after two games. They were both dead rubbers, but there was a good win against Cardiff City, a team that got relegated. He certainly came across well on matchdays and preview warm-ups we did with him.
“A lot of Norwich fans bought into the idea that he might get the job (permanently) because what we saw in those two games was a togetherness – we spoke to players who said they really respected Jack, he’s really easy to work with.”
There is also Wilshere’s record of developing young talent at Arsenal to take into consideration.
“What he did at Arsenal was great – he brought through some incredible players that Mikel Arteta is now using in massive Premier League and Champions League games so that speaks for itself,” Butler added.
Powell partnership provides stability
When Wilshere takes charge of Luton for the first time in Saturday’s home game against Mansfield Town, he will be up against a manager in Nigel Clough, who has been in a dugout on more than 1,300 occasions.
And Hatters chief executive Gary Sweet believes that is part of the reason why bringing in former Charlton boss Chris Powell to work alongside Wilshere was necessary.
“Jack went through four stages of interview, with 16 pairs of eyes looking at him, who came to the same conclusion. But we really felt we needed a very experienced number two who could bring a stabilising influence and knowhow,” he told BBC Three Counties Radio.
“The model is the one we feel is right – where we have energy, enthusiasm, different ideas, nimbleness, boldness, bravery, all of these things – but stabilised by Chris, who will give a tap on the shoulder and a little bit of advice here and there.”
Powell himself had no doubts about accepting his role after learning that Wilshere was the man Luton wanted.
“He’s a young coach, he’s modern, progressive, and his understanding – based on the discussions we’ve had – he gets it already,” Powell said.
“Everyone thinks you have an idea of the way you want to play and you do it straight away. No, you’ve got to be understanding of the situation, of where the team’s at, what league you’re in and what’s required.
‘First impressions are important’
Sweet admits the mood around the club has been “low and flat”, but Wilshere has the personality to quickly provide a lift to a side which is mid-table in League One.
“Jack’s love for the game, his enthusiasm, his desire, the spirit he’s got in him is what we want to represent us,” Sweet said.
Reaction among supporters to the appointment has been mixed, with words ranging from “exciting” to “a gamble” being used.
Former Luton midfielder Jonathan Smith was a member of the Hatters team that won the Conference title in 2014 under Nathan Jones – a manager of limited experience when he first arrived.
“Even just from his first presentation he did for the players – and I’m sure Jack will be working hard on this as well – we all bought in straight away, you could see his passion and desire to do well,” Smith told BBC Three Counties Radio.
“First impressions in all walks of life are important and although Jack’s had an amazing career, that first interaction will be important for him.
“I played under Paolo Di Canio at Swindon. He had obviously played at a much higher level than us and at times did struggle with that, and sometime shut [training] sessions down because he wasn’t happy with the quality.
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- Luton Town
- League One
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