Thierry Henry Named as France’s New Under-21 Head Coach

FRANCE- Renowned former France striker, Thierry Henry, has assumed the prestigious role of head coach for the country’s Under-21 team until 2025, as officially announced by the French Football Federation in a statement released on Monday.

The iconic Arsenal legend is set to guide the team during the forthcoming Olympic Games in Paris, scheduled for the upcoming year. Henry’s appointment comes in the wake of Sylvain Ripoll’s departure, who was relieved of his duties following France’s untimely exit from this year’s European Under-21 competition.

Enhancing his coaching staff, Henry will be joined by former Angers manager, Gerald Baticle, who will serve as the assistant coach, fortifying the team’s leadership.

As France’s second-highest goal scorer of all time, Henry’s return to the coaching arena marks a significant milestone. He had previously served as an assistant coach for Belgium, exiting the role after the culmination of last year’s World Cup.

A notable figure in football, Henry, who also played for Barcelona, has an illustrious coaching background. He has previously guided Arsenal’s youth teams, steered AS Monaco in Ligue 1, and overseen Montreal in Major League Soccer. Henry’s exceptional playing career reached its pinnacle in 2014 when he concluded his tenure as Arsenal’s all-time leading scorer with an impressive tally of 228 goals. Additionally, he made a mark on the international stage, amassing 123 caps and securing 51 goals for France.

Henry’s inaugural engagement at the helm of the Under-21s will be an anticipated friendly encounter against Denmark on September 7. Subsequently, the team is poised to face Slovenia in the Euro qualifiers just four days later.