Former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere
Image credit: Getty Images
Arsenal’s hunt for a new Under-21 head coach has taken a fresh turn, withThe Athletic reporting that former Gunners midfielder Jack Wilshere is no longer in contention for the role. Academy coach Max Porter has now emerged as the frontrunner, signalling a possible shift in the club’s approach to youth development.
Wilshere, a Hale End graduate who made over 150 senior appearances for Arsenal, was initially seen as a strong candidate to return after leaving his first-team coaching role at Norwich City earlier this summer.
The 33-year-old previously led Arsenal’s U18s to the 2023 FA Youth Cup final and helped develop talents such as Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly. His brief spell as Norwich’s interim manager, following Johannes Hoff Thorup’s dismissal, had fuelled speculation that he was ready to step back into the club’s academy with valuable senior-level experience.
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However, The Athletic reports that Wilshere is instead focusing on pursuing senior managerial roles, in line with earlier claims from BBC Sport about his long-term ambitions. His withdrawal leaves Arsenal free to pursue alternative candidates, with Porter now in pole position for the job.
Arsenal Academy Coach Max Porter
Arsenal Academy Coach Max Porter (Image credit: Getty Images)
Porter, a former midfielder who represented clubs including Barnet and Gillingham, has been part of Arsenal’s academy coaching staff for several years. Known for his tactical awareness and ability to develop young talent, he has worked closely with multiple youth age groups at Hale End.
His familiarity with Arsenal’s emerging stars, including 15-year-old Max Dowman who impressed during pre-season makes him a strong candidate for the post.
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The vacancy arose after Mehmet Ali left the U21 setup earlier this summer to join Brentford’s senior coaching team under Keith Andrews. Under academy manager Per Mertesacker, Hale End has played a key role in Arsenal’s recent successes, producing first-team players such as Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, and Nwaneri.
With Mikel Arteta committed to integrating academy graduates into the senior squad, the U21 appointment is seen as a crucial step in sustaining that pipeline.
While Wilshere’s history with Arsenal made him a sentimental favourite, Porter’s deep knowledge of the academy system and track record in youth development could make him a pragmatic choice for the role.
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