Jack Wilshere faces competition for Plymouth job from ex-England team-mate, 35, as Argyle draw up three-man shortlist
JACK WILSHERE faces competition from Tom Cleverley in his bid to land the Plymouth Argyle job.
The Pilgrims are on the hunt for a new manager following Miron Muslic’s exit for Schalke.
Having employed three managers in eight years between 2015 and 2023, Argyle are now looking for their fifth permanent boss of the last 17 months.
According to Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph, club chiefs will conduct a final round of interviews for the position next week.
Wilshere, 33, is said to have made the final shortlist, as he looks for his first permanent managerial gig.
The former Arsenal midfielder coached the Gunners’ Under-18s following his playing retirement.
Last season worked at Norwich City under Johannes Hoff Thorup, before a brief stint as caretaker boss following the Dane’s sacking.
Wilshere’s former England team-mate Cleverley is also in the running for the job.
The ex-Manchester United midfielder, 35, is looking for a quick return to management following his Watford sacking at the end of the season.
Cleverley lasted 14 months as Hornets boss, guiding them to 14th in the Championship last term.
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In addition to Wilshere and Cleverley, former Oxford boss Des Buckingham is set for an interview.
Buckingham, 40, guided the U’s to League One promotion during the 2023-24 campaign, but was sacked last December with his side sitting 20th in the second tier.
Prior to taking charge at the Kassam, Buckingham managed Wellington Phoenix and Mumbai City – in addition to various New Zealand age group sides.
According to the BBC, four candidates are set for an interview next week.
The identity of the fourth candidate remains unknown, although it is not former rumoured boss Ian Evatt.
Having initially been linked with the Pilgrims, ex-Bolton gaffer Evatt is now no longer thought to be in the frame.
Former Argyle boss Muslic, 42, left to take charge of German second-tier side Schalke – despite claiming to have “fallen in love” with the Pilgrims.
Argyle's turbulent few years
The Pilgrims are now set for their fifth boss in 17 months
Steven Schumacher – Dec 2021-Dec 2023 P 108 W57 D 21 L 30
Ian Foster – Jan 2024-Apr 2024 P 16 W 3 D 4 L9
Wayne Rooney – May 2024-Dec 2024 P 25 W 5 D 6 L 14
Miron Muslic – Jan 2025-May 2025 P 23 W 8 D 5 L 10
In a club statement, chairman Simon Hallett claimed that Muslic had said he was “100 per cent committed to Argyle” – but when Schalke later came calling, the former Cercle Brugge boss vowed not to return to Plymouth “under any circumstances”.
Muslic had replaced Wayne Rooney as Argyle boss in January, failing to stave off Championship relegation.
Rooney, 39, was axed following just five wins in 25 matches at the helm in all competitions.
Alongside the ex-England captain, former director of football Neil Dewsnip also departed.
Prior to Rooney’s appointment, Argyle had sacked Ian Foster following barely three months in charge, after the former England youth boss has succeeded League One title winner Steven Schumacher, following his departure for Stoke City.