Arsenal legend Thierry Henry poised for France's coaching job

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry is on the verge of being named France's U21 coach

FOOTBALL Arsenal legend Thierry Henry poised for France's coaching job

Clive Kyazze 16:23 - 21.08.2023

Renowned Arsenal icon Thierry Henry is on the brink of embarking on a fresh managerial journey, as reports suggest he is poised to assume the position of head coach for France's U21 team in the near future.

The former Premier League luminary, who also graced clubs like Barcelona and Juventus during his playing career, is set to fill the void left by Sylvain Ripoll.

Ripoll's six-year tenure as the U21 coach ended following a disappointing conclusion to the U21 Euros.

Despite fielding an array of exceptional talent, France's U21 squad was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Ukraine.

Thierry Henry played 123 times for France, scoring 51 goals | Imago

For Henry, this opportunity marks a potential return to full-time management following a two-year hiatus from his last first-team head coaching role.

In order to shape France's emerging talents, Henry's potential appointment as head coach of France's U21 team is expected to be a central topic during the Monday French Football Federation executive committee meeting.

The accomplished footballer, who currently co-hosts CBS Golazo, managed to secure this role despite facing competition from notable figures like former Lille manager Jocelyn Gourvennec, former Strasbourg and Rennes boss Julien Stephan, and former Cardiff and Ivory Coast manager Sabri Lamouchi.

Thierry Henry for Arsenal | Imago

Henry's managerial journey has yet to mirror the triumphs of his playing career. Unsuccessful spells as head coach for Monaco, where he endured 11 losses out of 20 games and won merely four, and Montreal Impact, where 16 losses marred his 29 games in charge with just nine victories, underscore the challenges he's encountered.

Yet, this new endeavour diverges from his prior roles. In his role with the French U21 team, Henry is poised to nurture and elevate the talents of young players into future mainstays of the senior national team.

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