The Luton Town Revival - Inside Jack Wilshere's Mega Managerial Start

Inside Jack Wilshere's Mega Managerial Start

Fortunes are changing at Luton Town after the recent appointment of first-team manager Jack Wilshere. The Hatters have won four of their last five games since Wilshere entered the realm, including a 0-3 trouncing away at league leaders Stockport County over the weekend. So, what has been the catalyst for such a drastic turn in form for Luton?

Trust in the Youth

Whilst still being on the younger side himself, Wilshere has made it apparent that he is not scared to call upon the teenagers to take the step into his first-team side. 18-year-old Jake Richards, having signed from Exeter City in the summer, repaid the faith of his manager and put on a show in 'The Hatter Derby' with a first goal and assist for the club. The Devonian has been full of praise of his new boss and the encouragement received from the coaching staff in adapting to a prominent right-sided role.

Yet, the limelight was stolen by 16-year-old Finley Evans, making history as Luton Town's youngest ever goalscorer. The defender was handed a senior debut in the EFL Trophy and fired home from close range late into the second half to secure a 3-1 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion U21.

To top it all off, Evans was recently called up to feature for Wales in Under-17 UEFA European Championship fixtures against Slovenia, Portugal and Liechtenstein. It was safe to say that there were many at hand to celebrate this special moment with the Welshman.

16 years and 271 days.

Fin Evans. The youngest senior goalscorer in our history 🧡 pic.twitter.com/JvY32i0tlX

— Luton Town FC (@LutonTown) October 28, 2025

Having to suffer together

Aside from the individual credentials, prominence has been on the collective efforts from the team and having to deal with the tough times on the pitch to achieve success. Further emphasis has been placed on the role of the fans as 'the 12th man' that, whilst perhaps a common connotation in the sport, seems to be working wonders in the Luton camp.

The likes of Liam Walsh and George Saville in the Luton midfield materialise the tenacity and desire required to compete with the physical nature of the league, proven by the pair's history with the referee's notebook.

Yet, I think it is safe to say that this challenge by defender Teden Mengi showcases exactly what Wilshere is after.

Keeping the clean sheet 🪄 pic.twitter.com/kD9wa2w2p5

— Luton Town FC (@LutonTown) November 9, 2025

Continuing to learn on the job

Whilst remaining in the novice years of his management career, the 33 year-old has been outspoken about having to learn the nature of the league, his players and the environment he has come into.

After an opening defeat to Mansfield, Wilshere was quick to admit that there could've been more shown from his players in responding to the 2-0 deficit, yet took the loss as more of a lesson rather than flaunting reactionary statements.

A major area of discussion was restoring the belief back into his players that looked very few and far between at the end of the Matt Bloomfield tenure, with a compelling 3-1 loss to League Two side Cambridge United being the final nail in the coffin.

What cannot be ignored is the relationship between Wilshere and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. The new-look Wilshere philosophy mirrors that of the Arsenal side who currently sit comfortably at the top of the Premier League.

Alongside performance-based factors, perhaps Arteta's wise words of encouragement are to thank for Luton's upturn in form.

Jack Wilshere on taking his first full-time managerial role: “When I spoke to Mikel Arteta, maybe a year ago, I said to him, ‘When did you know you were ready?’ — he laughed & said, ‘You just have to jump in & swim as hard as you can!’” 🤣🏊‍♂️

🎥 @HaytersTV pic.twitter.com/1aagdbURzI

— afcstuff (@afcstuff) October 13, 2025

The question that now looms is, will Wilshere and Luton Town be able to keep this emphatic run of results long-lasting?

A side with an abundance of quality will be hoping to bounce back after successive relegations (one of only four sides to ever do so) and regain Championship status at the first time of asking.

Currently sitting in 9th position in the league, just five points adrift from the automatic promotion places, there is plenty of optimism that Super Jack has started as he means to go on.