Next Plymouth Manager odds: Wilshere emerges as unlikely frontrunner

Arsenal favourite Jack Wilshere has emerged as an unexpected favourite to become League One side Plymouth Argyle’s new manager.

Wilshere 1/3 for Plymouth job

The Pilgrims are having to find a new boss at short notice after Miron Muslic’s shock departure for German side Schalke, which has left a bitter taste in the mouth of the hierarchy at the recently relegated club.

Now Wilshere, who was last seen in interim charge of Norwich for the final two games of the 2024/25 campaign, is apparently firmly in contention to land his first permanent senior managerial role.

The ex-England international was as big as 25/1 on Saturday but collapsed into odds-on throughout Monday, currently priced no bigger than 1/3 to get the gig with BetVictor as of Tuesday morning.

Wilshere's appointment would be viewed as a risky one by many, particularly given the Green Army's ill-fated experience with Wayne Rooney last summer.

However, the former midfielder's coaching exploits have received widespread praise from those within the game, with Arsene Wenger even having labelled a young Wilshere as a future Gunners boss when being left impressed by his tactical perpsectives. 

Miron Muslic has left Argyle to join 2. Bundesliga side FC Schalke 04.

— Plymouth Argyle FC (@Argyle) May 31, 2025

Evatt, Wagner and Buckingham also in the mix

Reports suggest the club are only at the point of drawing up a shortlist, however, with some more experienced names said to feature too.

One of those is Ian Evatt, who has achieved promotions in his last two jobs with Barrow and Bolton respectively. 

A close friend of Plymouth’s new Head of Football Operations David Fox from their time together at Blackpool, the 43-year-old clearly has the credentials and looks a live runner at 4/1.

David Wagner, also a 4/1 poke as of Tuesday morning, has plenty of Championship and League One experience and also has club connections, having worked under Argyle’s Sporting Director Stuart Webber at Norwich. 

Yet it was reported the German was interviewed for the role back in January following  Rooney’s sacking and walked away from discussions, casting doubt over his interest this time around.

Des Buckingham, who led Oxford to League One promotion just over a year ago, is another said to be shortlisted and is rated a 6/1 chance, alongside Adin Osmanbasic – the assistant of the departed Muslic, who may provide a smooth transitional option should he wish to remain in Devon despite his colleague’s exit.

Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin is the fifth and final contender for the vacancy priced in single figures, with BetVictor making him a left-field 8/1 chance.

Out of work bosses such as Rob Edwards (25/1), Steve Evans (33/1) and Luke Williams (33/1) don’t appear to be in the running according to the market, with things expected to progress quickly as the club look to minimise the disruption of the last week’s dramatic events.

Despite recent chaos, Plymouth remain an unchanged best price of 9/1 with Quinn Bet for next season’s League One title.