Thierry Henry ‘is STILL yet to sign a two-year contract as France U21 manager’ despite already being named the new boss by the FFF
Thierry Henry is still yet to sign a two-year contract as the new coach of France’s Under 21 team, despite already having been announced by the French Football Federation (FFF), according to reports.
The ex-Arsenal and Barcelona star, who held the all-time goal scoring record for Les Bleus before Olivier Giroud took his crown at the Qatar World Cup, has long been linked with a move to the U21s dugout.
As recently as last Sunday the former striker was seen on Amazon Prime’s coverage of Ligue 1 fending off suggestions he was set to be announced as the new boss, laughing off comments and calling for an ad break to avoid answering.
On Monday evening, the FFF then put an end to the speculation by announcing him as the U21 manager, although that declaration has reportedly not been followed by a signature from Henry on a two-year deal.
According to French newspaper L’Equipe, the 46-year-old is yet to formally sign as a result of his ongoing role as pundit for CBS Sport, and his long association with kit suppliers Puma.
Thierry Henry is reportedly yet to sign a contract as France U21 boss despite being announced
Henry could be in place to lead the U21s at the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris next summer
L’Equipe report he will end his role with Amazon Prime but could continue his work with CBS
In terms of the latter point, Henry has long been sponsored by Puma, but the Espoirs – as the French U21s are known – wear Nike kit.
As a result this could prove problematic for Henry’s relationship with Puma, who will perhaps not be keen for one of their biggest partners to be seen in rival gear.
As for the former, Henry is set to end his work on Amazon Prime as a pundit, as per L’Equipe, but he could still work for CBS Sport.
It remains to be seen how both parties agree to work around these two points of difference, but the report suggests there is little reason to worry that his appointment could be threatened.
Gael Clichy (second right) could join Henry on his coaching team with the France Under 21s
Despite already having announced their former star as the new boss, discussions over these two points go some way to explain why a press conference has not been called to announce the news, as per the French publication.
The Frenchman reportedly fought off the interest of Sabri Lamouchi to be selected unanimously by an executive FFF committee, and will likely lead the side at the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris in 2024.
And he will not have to wait long before first being called into action with the Espoirs, who are in action in September against Denmark on September 7 before facing Slovenia in the Euro qualifiers four days later.
It will be Henry’s first appointment in over two years, having managed Monaco (October 2018-January 2019) and Montreal Impact (November 2019-February 2021), and is reportedly set to be joined by former Arsenal team-mate Gael Clichy.
