After back-to-back relegations from the Premier League to League One, Luton turned to Wilshire to try and turn the side around. The English manager's first match in charge resulted in a 2-0 loss to Mansfield Town and although results have not improved, there is hope and belief around the side.
Walcott never thought Wilshere would be a manager
This is his first job in senior management and patience is key with a new manager, especially at a club who are struggling so much. One man who does believe in Wilshere is former teammate Walcott, who spoke to The Independent about his appointment.
“To be honest, I never thought Jack would be a manager,” he admits. It’s not an outrageous lack of foresight from a man who first shared a dressing room with Wilshere, three years his junior, when he was just a brazen 16-year-old - albeit one with stratospheric potential.
“He hasn’t just dived into the deep end. He’s really learned about himself, of what he wants from other people, and not to expect to be right at the top straight away. He really surprised me, but when you look at the work he’s done and in depth, it’s a different Jack Wilshere. I think he’s matured really well.”
Wilshere the man for the job
Just a few years ago, Kenilworth Road was hosting Premier League football but now welcomes League One sides in what has been a dramatic drop. Despite the challenges, Walcott believes Wilshere is the man for the job due to his expertise and youth.
“He’ll have that respect element. He’s not going to ask players to do something that he could do because he understands the levels.
“He’s really good with people,” he adds. “Because he’s young, a lot of the guys can relate to him. I think that’s really helpful for them. It’s the first games, new things happen and it’s never going to be easy for them. He’ll do well in time.”