The search from Arsenal for a new head coach under 21 has hit a stumbling block after a leading candidate reportedly decided not to take on the role.
The vacancy arose after the departure of Mehmet Ali to Brentford earlier this summer. Ali led the Gunners to an eighth place in Premier League 2 last season.
He came to Brentford to work as an assistant manager of the first team among the new boss Keith Andrews.
The hierarchy of Arsenal would have liked to have replaced him quickly, with one of the names on the shortlist as a figure that remains enormously popular among the Emirates Faithful.
According to BBC Sport, Club icon Jack Wilshere has opted for a reunion with his boys' club.
The 32-year-old reportedly held conversations with Arsenal officials after he was approached about the position. After careful consideration, however, he kindly informed the club that he was not interested.
Wilshere's reasoning was purely based on career; He is determined to take his first steps in senior management and gives priority to opportunities that will place him directly in a coaching environment of the first team.
Wilshere, who made more than 150 starts for Arsenal after coming through the Academy, left the Emirates Stadium last season to join the coaching staff of Norwich City under the then manager Johannes Thorup.
At Carrow Road he was initially appointed coach of the first team before he was promoted to interim head coach after the departure of Thorup in April.
He supervised the last part of the championship season before he left when Liam Manning was appointed permanent boss.
Since he retired in 2022, Wilshere has accelerated his coaching career, earned his pro-license and quickly gained experience at both academic level and in senior football.