Jack Wilshere reveals he’s doing his coaching badges alongside Arsenal team-mate Per Mertesacker
The midfielder is now doing his UEFA B badge after starting his qualifications while on loan at Bournemouth last season
JACK WILSHERE has kicked off a career in coaching alongside Gunners team-mate Per Mertesacker.
The 25-year-old is now doing his UEFA B badge after completing the Level Two coach qualification while on loan with Bournemouth last term.
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Wilshere's future at the Emirates remains uncertain, but the England international seems set on becoming a coach when he retires.
He has excelled under the management of Arsene Wenger this term, despite being handed limited game-time in the top-flight.
The 25-year-old began his coaching qualifications last season because he had so much spare time on his hands while on loan at Dean Court.
He told the Arsenal podcast: "Last year when I was at Bournemouth, because they're not in Europe and didn't have a midweek game, it seemed like an opportunity [to start my badges].
“A few of the lads were talking about doing their Level Two [coaching badge] and I thought, I’m going to jump on it.
“I really enjoyed it, while I’m fit and playing and healthy I might not need it, but even if I’ve got another ten years left in me I don’t want to be at the end of my career and maybe have a year out and be thinking, what do I want to do…and then have to go through Level Two, UEFA B, UEFA A.
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“I’m doing my UEFA B at the minute. Luckily I’ve got great facilities here at Arsenal, great players and the PFA and the FA have been great and really helpful. I’m going to complete that and then see what I want to do.”
The midfielder revealed that he was encouraged to start coaching by Per Mertesacker - who is retiring at the end of the season to become a key figure within Arsenal's academy.
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"I told him we’d done it at Bournemouth and we were chatting about it.
“He said, if you want to do it with me, I’m doing it. I was up for it. I think Per’s going to be great at that job [as Arsenal Academy chief]. He might need an assistant one day, you never know!
“He’s got that character, he’s a great captain even though he’s not playing [regularly]. He’s the most positive, he wants the team to do well and he’s a great example to young players.
“If you’re under-13 or under-14 coming through at Hale End he’s someone to look up to. I’m sure he’ll pass his knowledge on to them.”
Mertesacker added: "I asked him if he wanted to join me in developing the coaching skills.
"To start from the bottom to find out more about coaching and to change perspective a little bit.
"He was up for it, happy to do a little bit of extra, to get going. And to plan something after his career, as well to improve, to change perspective, to learn more about the game and to learn more about himself."
