Exclusive: Lee Hendrie raises Jack Wilshere "problem" if appointed at Plymouth Argyle | OneFootball

Wilshere went undefeated in two games as Norwich City's interim boss last season

Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie has offered his backing to Jack Wilshere, as the 33-year-old continues to be linked with the Plymouth Argyle job.

The former Arsenal midfielder ended the season in the Norwich City dugout following the sacking of Johannes Hoff Thorup, winning one and drawing one during his brief time as the main man at Carrow Road.

However, with Norwich seemingly looking towards Liam Manning as their new manager for the 2025/26 season, Wilshere departed the Norfolk-based club to explore opportunities elsewhere.

Perhaps those opportunities may come in Devon, as Wilshere has emerged as one of the frontrunners for the Plymouth Argyle job, following the departure of Miron Muslic to German sleeping giants Schalke.

With minimal games under his belt as a first-team manager, hiring the 33-year-old could be seen as a huge risk. However, Wilshere has been involved in coaching for three years now, which is why former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie feels he's ready for a full-time managerial role.

Lee Hendrie endorses Jack Wilshere despite clear "gamble"

Current Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie understands why Jack Wilshere has been linked with a few managerial jobs since he departed Norwich City, as he has been learning in the dugout and in youth management for a little while now.

"He's had bits of experience with the youngsters, and he's been around football clubs where he's learned his trade, and I think sometimes you have to go and get that feel for things," he explained exclusively to FLW.

"Having fresh new ideas and new young blood coming into the managerial game is good for English football.

"We see a lot of foreign managers coming in who are unheard of, unknown and therefore probably don't have as much pressure on them."

It's because of this that Hendrie does believe that hiring someone like Wilshere would be a gamble, but it's one that he feels would pay off for a team like Plymouth.

"Is it a gamble? Obviously it is, especially when Plymouth have just been relegated, and I'm sure they will be one of the favourites to go back up.

"However, I think Jack's done a lot of work on the field, which will definitely help him going forward. There's always that bit of a gamble because he's new and up and coming, but it'd be great to see him take the job."

Plymouth may have to be wary of Wayne Rooney repeat

Hendrie did acknowledge that players who have played at the top level in England who transition almost immediately into management have a sense of pressure on them that other foreign managers do not.

"That's the problem," he continued. "Those who have gone and played at the top level of football, the Lampards, the Gerrards, the Rooneys, come with a big, bold statement that the clubs will keep on working well, and it's not always like that."

Plymouth have delved into the pool of former top-level professional players-turned-managers recently, with little success. Many put down Wayne Rooney's period in charge of the Pilgrims this past season, where he picked up just four league wins in 23 games, as the main catalyst for their eventual relegation.

However, unlike Rooney, Wilshere has spent time honing his craft as a coach and, given his decision to step away from Norwich completely, rather than accept his place back on the coaching staff, you get the feeling that the former Arsenal midfielder believes he is ready to take that next step.

Chris Davies saw League One success in his first season as the main man in the dugout in 2024/25 - perhaps Jack Wilshere can follow suit in 2025/26.