Why did Jack Wilshere retire and what is he doing now? Coaching reignited ‘deep love’ for football ahead of Soccer Aid appearance

Jack Wilshere was once one of the most highly-rated young footballers in the world after breaking through at Arsenal. 

Wilshere worked his way up from the academy at the Gunners and starred in midfield under Arsene Wenger until injuries struck. 

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After lengthy spells on the sidelines alongside stints and Bournemouth and West Ham, the former England international announced his retirement at the age of 30 last year. 

However, fans will be pleased to see that Wilshere is returning to the pitch this weekend as he takes part in Soccer Aid. 

Why did Wilshere retire? 

Wilshere blamed the end of his career on reasons out of his control. 

The midfielder was forced to have surgery on his ankle, knee and calfbone while at Arsenal which saw him miss over 100 games.

Then after a move to West Ham, he would miss a total of 59 games in three years at the club.

This led to Wilshere announcing an early retirement and he released a statement in July 2022 reading: “Today I am announcing my retirement from playing professional football.

“It has been an unbelievable journey filled with so many incredible moments and I feel privileged to have experienced all that I did during my career. 

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“From being the little boy kicking a ball around in the garden to captaining my beloved Arsenal and playing for my country at a World Cup. I have lived my dream.

“In truth, it has been difficult to accept that my career has been slipping away in recent times due to reasons outside of my control whilst feeling that I have still had so much to give. 

“Having played at the very highest level I have always held such huge ambitions within the game and if I am truthful I did not envisage being in this position at times. 

“However, having had time to reflect and talk with those closest with me I know that now is the right time and despite the difficult moments I look back on my career with great pride at what I have achieved.”

What is Wilshere doing now? 

Wilshere was immediately appointed Arsenal U18s head coach after his retirement.

And he is still in the role now, leading them to the FA Youth Cup final this season. 

The 31-year-old has prospered in his role off the pitch and he has revealed that coaching has helped to reignite his ‘real deep love for football’. 

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Speaking to the Independent in April, Wilshere said: “I love it, honestly. 

“It’s given me back the real deep love for football and I didn’t know I’d lost it, to be honest. I came back here last year and I was coaching a bit, training a bit.

“When I came back here, and it might be because it’s Arsenal, I feel like people here genuinely care about me, which is nice.

“Obviously, it was a different world I was entering. The corporate world, all the emails – but now I’m in a place where I’ve worked that out, I’ve structured my day better. 

“The coaching stuff I absolutely love.”