Jack Wilshere holds talks with club over first senior management role at just 31
The Colorado Rapids of MLS could give former Arsenal star Jack Wilshere his first senior managerial position at just 31 years old. If he accepts the job, he will become the second-youngest head coach in MLS history.
Wilshere currently leads Arsenal's Under-18 team and has expressed interest in a more prominent post. A decision to lead an MLS team would follow in the footsteps of former Premier League players such as Wayne Rooney and Thierry Henry, who led DC United and the Montreal Impact, respectively.
According to The Athletic, Wilshere is a top candidate for Colorado's vacancy. He already has a connection to the organisation. Like Arsenal, the Rapids are owned by businessman Stan Kroenke.
But they are also one of the trickiest teams to manage in MLS. They've finished in the bottom half of the American division in six of the past seven seasons, and fans have accused Kroenke of neglecting the club.
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Colorado fired Robin Fraser in a midseason move last month, making Chris Little their interim boss as they play out the end of an underwhelming campaign. They're in last place in the Western Conference by a nine-point margin and are one of only two teams in MLS to average below one point per game.
"This was a difficult decision but one we felt was necessary to best position the club to return to the play-offs and ultimately compete for trophies," wrote the Rapids in a statement when they sacked Fraser. "We thank Robin for his four years of dedicated work and we wish him nothing but the best in the future."
Despite the chaotic nature of the Rapids in recent times, Wilshere might view them as a stepping stone to bigger things. He's been open about wanting to reach the pinnacle of coaching after failing to reach the heights he expected to hit as an Arsenal midfielder.
The Colorado Rapids are said to be interested in hiring Jack Wilshere. (Getty Images)"I didn't ever reach my full potential as a player - and everyone knows that," Wilshere told the Evening Standard last year. "I don't think I will ever accept it until I've reached that as a coach. It's a difficult thing to accept and that's why I still have a big, burning desire in me to be successful in the game.
"I just feel like there's something still in me that wants to get to a high level. And that probably won't ever be as a player again. So if I can do that as a coach, why not?"
Colorado are nearing the end of their 2023 season and have already been eliminated from play-off contention. So, if they hire Wilshere, he would likely begin ahead of the next campaign to get a clean slate with a crop of winter transfer additions.
The Rapids, who have lost six times since the start of August, complete the year with an away match at FC Dallas and a home game against Real Salt Lake.
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