Wilshere set to be named Luton manager

Former Arsenal and England midfielder Jack Wilshere is set to be announced as manager of League One side Luton Town.

The 33-year-old will succeed Matt Bloomfield, who was sacked earlier this month having spent less than a year in charge at Kenilworth Road.

It will be Wilshere's first full-time managerial role, taking over a Luton side 11th in the third tier following back-to-back relegations.

He beat Leyton Orient boss Richie Wellens to the role.

Chris Powell will also join Luton as Wilshere's assistant - the former England left-back has been at Walsall for just two weeks as interim first-team coach after coming in to cover for Gary Waddock as he recovers from ankle surgery.

After retiring as a player in 2022, Wilshere had a spell in charge of Arsenal's under-18 team, and spent much of last season as a first-team coach at Championship club Norwich City.

He was named interim head coach for the Canaries' final two league games following Johannes Hoff Thorup's departure, before leaving Carrow Road at the end of the campaign.

Luton won promotion to the Premier League under Rob Edwards in 2023, but the Hatters spent just one season in the top flight and suffered a second consecutive relegation last season.

Bloomfield was appointed when Edwards left Kenilworth Road in January, but the former Wycombe Wanderers boss was unable to keep Luton in the Championship and won only 12 of his 33 games in charge.

Wilshere's first match as Luton manager will be a home fixture against Mansfield Town on Saturday.

Wilshere made his professional debut as a 16-year-old for Arsenal in 2008 and twice won the FA Cup with the Gunners, for whom he made almost 200 appearances before leaving for West Ham United in 2018.

He later had spells with Bournemouth and Danish side Aarhus before retiring aged 30.

At international level Wilshere played 34 times for England, appearing at the 2014 World Cup and Euro 2016.