Luton Town boss Jack Wilshere says it feels “better to win silverware as a manager than a player” after guiding his side to victory over Stockport in the Vertu Trophy final at Wembley.
It has not taken long for the former England and Arsenal midfielder to experience both, doing so just six months after taking his first permanent managerial job at Kenilworth Road.
Wilshere won the FA Cup twice in his time with the Gunners and now after just his 40th match in charge of a senior club, the 34-year-old has lifted his first trophy as a boss.
He did so by overcoming an experienced County manager in Dave Challinor, who has five league titles, an FA Trophy and three play-off final promotions on his CV in 16 years and 606 games of management.
Wilshere, who retired from playing in 2022, started coaching with Arsenal’s Under-18s team before joining the Norwich staff in October 2024 and had a spell as interim manager of the Canaries towards the end of last season before being appointed Luton boss in October.
‘It feels really good’
“It’s a really nice feeling, it’s better [as a manager],” Wilshere told BBC Three Counties Radio following Luton’s 3-1 win.
“Don’t get me wrong, I loved every single moment of my career, especially the times we came here and won trophies [with Arsenal].
“But to do it as a coach… I’ve felt nothing but love since I’ve been here, from the board, from everyone at the training ground, the physios, the staff.
“They’ve backed me, they’ve believed in me and I couldn’t have done it without them.
“To be standing there at the side of the pitch as a leader, but behind a really hardworking group of people that want the best for this club, it feels really good.”
Luton have now won five of their past six games, with one draw, and appear to be hitting form at the right time in their quest to finish in a League One play-off place – they sit 10th and six points off the top six with five games to play.
Wilshere said his team are “all-in on him” and was keen to ensure the credit goes to the players for their Wembley exploits.
On this occasion it was a combination of experienced 35-year-old striker Nahki Wells leading the way with two goals – his first in particular was a classy first touch and finish – alongside young wide man Emilio Lawrence, who drew Luton level after falling behind.
“There will come a time of course at the end of the season where I will be able to sit down and reflect, have a couple of weeks off and start to see where I am,” he told BBC Sport.
“I’ve learnt a lot since being here. I’ve done my badges and I’ve coached a lot. But there are some things that badges can’t teach you and you just have to adapt.
“That’s probably the biggest thing that I’ve learnt – the ability to adapt. Then ultimately it’s my ability to convince and inspire people. I’m still learning and trying to get better but I’m also proud of what we’ve achieved together as a group.
“I’ll reflect on my time at the end of the season because I want the players to enjoy it, I want the players to take the credit. They have to because they’re the ones who execute it.”
Wilshere admitted he was “emotional” at the full-time whistle, citing the “sacrifice” both he and his family make for him to pursue his coaching dream.
“You sacrifice a lot,” he added. “I’ve got four young kids and an amazing wife and they also have to sacrifice a lot.
“We [Luton] are not where we want to be but it’s a big step. It’s a nice feeling because of all the hard work we’ve put in. You can kind of see we’re on the right track. We have to enjoy it.”
