Jack Wilshere: From Luton boy to Luton boss

Jack Wilshere is back where it all began, as manager of Luton Town.

The 34-year-old first joined Luton aged seven. Almost three decades on, he is leading the club into a new chapter, with 13 October set to be one year since he took the job.

He tells that story to Kelly Somers in the seventh episode of the new season of The Football Interview. The programme can be watched on BBC One at 12:45 BST on Saturday, 3 October, according to the BBC.

Wilshere made his name as a sharp-passing midfielder with Arsenal. He twice won the FA Cup, England's main knockout cup, and played 182 times in the Premier League.

He won 34 caps for England. That run took him to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and the 2016 European Championship in France. He retired from playing in 2022, aged 30.

Coaching came quickly. Arsenal invited him straight back to work with their youngsters, starting with the Under-18s. He joined the coaching staff at Norwich City in October 2024 and later took interim charge for two games at the end of that season.

Luton is his first senior management job. The club play in League One, England's third tier. In April he led them to the EFL Trophy, a knockout cup for lower-league clubs, with a 3-1 win over Stockport County at Wembley, according to the BBC.

Part of the interview looks at his Arsenal years, and at Mikel Arteta. The two were Arsenal team-mates for five years. Arteta has since led Arsenal to the Premier League title in 2025-26, their first league crown in 22 years.

What makes this stand out is the full circle. A boy from Luton's youth system left, played on the biggest stages, then returned to teach. For fans, this means a familiar face with fresh ideas, and a manager still learning his trade in public.