Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has revealed that he and teammate Per Mertesacker have begun working on their coaching badges with a view to entering football management in the future.
The 25-year-old is into the final year of his current contract with the Gunners, having thus far failed to agree a deal to extend his 16-year association with the club.
The England international is already thinking about life beyond his playing career, however, and is working on his UEFA B badge after successfully completing his Level Two qualification last season.
"Last year when I was at Bournemouth, because they're not in Europe and didn't have a midweek game, it seemed like an opportunity [to start my badges]," Wilshere told The Arsenal Podcast.
"A few of the lads were talking about doing their Level Two [coaching badge] and I thought, 'I'm going to jump on it'.
"I really enjoyed it, while I'm fit and playing and healthy I might not need it, but even if I've got another ten years left in me I don't want to be at the end of my career and maybe have a year out and be thinking, 'what do I want to do?' and then have to go through Level Two, UEFA B, UEFA A.
"I'm doing my UEFA B at the minute. Luckily I've got great facilities here at Arsenal, great players and the PFA and the FA have been great and really helpful. I'm going to complete that and then see what I want to do."
Arsene Wenger has yet to give Wilshere a run-out in the Premier League this term, but has played him in the Europa League and EFL Cup.
