Jack Wilshere has held talks with Major League Soccer club Colorado Rapids over becoming their new head coach.
The former England international, 31, has been coach of Arsenal’s Under-18 team since July 2022 and has made a strong impression, leading them to the 2022–23 FA Youth Cup final in his first season in charge.
The Rapids – owned by the same Kroenke Sports & Entertainment group that own Arsenal – parted ways with former head coach Robin Fraser in September.
As revealed in The Athletic’s Ask Ornstein Q&A, the U.S. franchise made a formal approach to Arsenal to speak with Wilshere, who is thought to have impressed in his interview with them.
The Rapids now need to make a decision with Scotland-born Chris Little leading the squad on an interim basis in the meantime.
Wilshere is keen to move into senior management if and when the right opportunity arises and has caught the eye of other clubs for current or potential vacancies.
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He spent 10 years at Arsenal as a player, making 197 appearances for the club and scoring 14 goals.
Wilshere made his debut aged just 16 years and 256 days – the club’s youngest-ever in the league prior to Ethan Nwaneri breaking the record last season.
After loan moves to Bolton Wanderers and Bournemouth, Wilshere joined West Ham United in 2018 following the expiry of his Arsenal contract.
He would later return to Bournemouth before a spell at Danish side AGF ahead of his retirement from the game, aged 30, in July 2022.
The Rapids are bottom of MLS’ Western Conference with a 5-11-16 record from their 32 games in the 2023 season.
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(Photo: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)