Third-youngest in EFL - Arsenal hero Jack Wilshere appointed Luton boss

Former Arsenal star Jack Wilshere has been appointed as Luton Town's new head coach to mark his first permanent job in management. The 33-year-old steps into the role with immediate effect and will work alongside respected English Football League journeyman Chris Powell, who joins as his assistant. Wilshere fills the void left by Matt Bloomfield, who was sacked by the League One outfit earlier in the year, and takes charge of his first Luton game against Mansfield Town on Saturday. Speaking to the club's official website, Wilshere said: “It’s a huge honour and a privilege to be named Luton Town manager. It feels like a full-circle moment for me. 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. I couldn’t be more delighted to be here – I can’t wait to manage this football club.”

In taking the job at Kenilworth Road, Wilshere automatically becomes the third-youngest manager in the EFL pyramid, including the Premier League, at 33 years of age. Brighton boss Fabian Hürzeler, 32, took charge in 2024 from Roberto De Zerbi, and the German tactician remains the youngest boss at the helm out of the 92 EFL teams. Southampton's Will Still celebrates his 33rd birthday tomorrow (October 14) and he is second on the list after arriving at the Championship club in the summer.

Wilshere is not the only former Premier League player on the list of promising young coaches - he is joined by ex-Tottenham midfielder Ryan Mason, 34, who took over at West Brom in the summer. Aston Villa favourite Conor Hourihane is coaching Barnsley in League One, while Tom Cleverley, formerly of Watford and Manchester United, is now leading Plymouth Argyle in the same division as Wilshere. Martin Paterson, Alan Sheehan, Kieran McKenna and John Mousinho make up the rest of the top 10.

Click here to read article