Jack Wilshere in race against time as he faces huge 350-mile commute from managerial debut to run London Marathon
JACK WILSHERE will take charge of his first game as a manager at Middlesbrough today before heading south for the London Marathon.
The former Arsenal star has been given the Norwich caretaker boss job after the sacking of Johannes Hoff Thorup.
Wilshere will be on the team bus back to Norfolk this evening before travelling to London for the marathon where he is running for the British Heart Foundation.
He said: “I was nervous until Tuesday because I was just thinking about the marathon – ‘can I complete it, or in what time?’
“Since Tuesday, I haven’t really thought about it. I probably should start thinking about it after the game at some point. But I’ll be OK.
“The charity I’m running for is really close to my heart and when you have that in your mind and are determined to do something, you’ll do it. I might be in a bad way, but I’ll complete it.”
Wilshere, who will also be in charge for next week’s game against Cardiff, says he is ready to take a manager’s job despite only being 33.
He was Arsenal’s under-18s coach before becoming Norwich first-team coach in October.
Wilshere said: “I feel some responsibility.
“There’s mixed emotions but then you have to start thinking ‘what do I see in the team, how can I try and affect how we play and where are the small wins we can get?’
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“I’ve been in the role for two and a half days. I’m ready to make an impact at this level.
“I want to be a head coach but if you start thinking too much about that you can get carried away.”
MOMENT IN THE SUN
REGIS LE BRIS defended his decision to opt for freshness rather than momentum ahead of Sunderland’s play-off push.
The Black Cats head to OXFORD with fourth-place already assured and then host QPR on the final day of the league.
The French boss, who has rested a host of stars over recent weeks, said: “This period has been useful because it’s given opportunities to players who have not been involved as much.
“We earned the chance to rest some players. I am proud of the team because what we have done so far is a big achievement.
“To go up through the play-offs, we know it is important to have as many players as possible available and fit.
“The period was unusual, but a good opportunity to refresh and reset.”