Jack Wilshere backs Liam Manning and reflects on City spell

The England and Arsenal legend departed his role as first-team coach at Carrow Road last month after not being considered for the permanent role after stepping in on an interim basis following Johannes Hoff Thorup's sacking. 

Wilshere plans to pursue a full-time senior head coach position after his stint at Carrow Road and is confident Norwich have hired the right person in Manning. 

"I left Norwich. I had a great time in Norwich and really enjoyed it," he told Talksport in an interview ahead of his Soccer Aid appearance on Sunday. 

"I really enjoyed the last two games where I got the opportunity to be the head coach. They have brought in a really good coach, and I thought it was just time for me to move on."

Wilshere was thrust into the role for the final two Championship matches of the campaign and led Norwich to a draw at Middlesbrough before a 4-2 victory over Cardiff on the final day. 

Stepping into the role saw Wilshere battle some nerves and self-doubt, but the experience has given him the taste to move into management. 

"I'd obviously done it with the U18s, but you never know. I don't know if any players listen, but there's always that feeling when you're an ex-player of could you do it or could you not do it? Those two games really helped me. They really helped convince me that, yeah, I can do it.

"I've stood there, I've felt what it feels like to be in front of the fans, trying to get the players to do something for me. I don't know if people saw the game, but the players were excellent. They delivered for me and just gave me a really nice feeling, and I'm ready to go.

Jack Wilshere was unbeaten in his two matches as interim City boss. (Image: Jamie Johnston/Focus Images Ltd) "I've always called it imposter syndrome. It's normal. My message to people would be embrace that and just step into it," he said. 

"It was probably the whole process of being able to watch Middlesbrough, where we played the first game, I've done that with the 18s, and that's probably one of my strengths, looking at a team and trying to set a game plan.

"But then your whole job as a head coach or a leader, or whatever you want to call it, is to try and convince players to do it in the way that you see it. It was excellent. The players delivered it. We got a good point away from home."