Arsenal has announced that Adam Birchall will take over as the Under-18s head coach following Jack Wilshere’s departure to join Championship club Norwich City. Birchall, a Hale End academy graduate, will step up from his role as Under-18s assistant coach to lead the team.
Wilshere, who has been coaching Arsenal’s Under-18s since 2022, has decided to move to Norwich to join the first-team coaching staff under manager Johannes Hoff Thorup. His departure comes after a successful tenure with the Gunners, during which he led the Under-18s to the FA Youth Cup final in his first season.
Per Mertesacker, Arsenal’s Academy Manager, praised Birchall’s appointment.
“Adam has a wealth of experience at Arsenal, having worked at every phase of our Academy, most recently as our Under-17s head coach and Under-18s assistant coach. He is a highly-qualified and highly-skilled individual who will transition into his new role effortlessly. Having played for our Academy and coached here for almost 10 years, Adam is a key member of the Arsenal family. We are confident that Adam will lead this important age group in a forward-thinking, exciting, and energetic way.
Birchall expressed his gratitude and excitement for the new role, stating, “I’ve loved every minute of my time as Under-18s head coach and would like to thank Edu, Per, Mikel, my colleagues in the academy, and everyone at the club for their fantastic support during my time in the role.
His first game in charge will be an away match against Norwich City Under-18s this Saturday. Birchall’s long association with Arsenal dates back to his days as a scholar in the academy in 2001/02, and he has been a respected figure in the club’s coaching setup since rejoining in 2016.
Arsenal fans and the club’s management are optimistic about Birchall’s ability to continue the development of young talents and maintain the high standards set by Wilshere.
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