The possibility to work with Johannes Hoff Thorup prompted Jack Wilshere to quit Arsenal and join Norwich City’s coaching squad.

Wilshere succeeded Narcis Pelach as first-team coach in October and is a crucial member of Thorup’s coaching staff, with assistant Glen Riddersholm, set piece coach Nick Stanley, and goalkeeping coach Tony Roberts.

Wilshere, a former England midfielder, quit his role as Arsenal’s under-18s head coach to join City. However, the quality of the Dane’s initiative at Carrow Road convinced him it was the appropriate location to take his first steps into senior football coaching.

“I have always stated that it would take a lot to get me out of Arsenal. It’s my club, and it’s close to where I live; I was doing well, but when this chance arose, and I learned about Johannes and the potential to work with him and Ben [Knapper], I was really excited.

“I have always stated that it would take a lot to get me out of Arsenal. It’s my club, and it’s close to where I live; I was doing well, but when this chance arose, and I learned about Johannes and the potential to work with him and Ben [Knapper], I was really excited.

“It didn’t take long to make my decision,” Wilshere said in City’s ‘On the Ball’ documentary series. “The approach that he is building – the interpersonal interaction and style while attempting to convey a lot of information to the players and assist them in understanding specific circumstances [is outstanding].

“Johannes has a clear way in every phase of the game, so it’s about me learning that and then giving the players the best chance every week to go out there and perform.”

City are currently in mid-table following a poor start to the Championship season. Wilshere is advocating patience while the building blocks are put in place.

“The big thing about a project, especially when you have young players, is that it’s not always easy because I know the fans want us to be promoted, to push for a return to the Premier League.” That is the goal, and that is what we want to achieve.