16 March 2023 , 21:56
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Former Belgium national team assistant Thierry Henry has rejected an approach to coach France women, as he's reportedly holding out for the USMNT role.
That's according to ESPN, who claim that Henry is hoping to be in the running for the vacant USMNT job, following the expiration of Gregg Berhalter's contract. Henry stated live on CBS Sports in February that he's keen to return to management, and with the 2024 Copa America and 2026 World Cup being held in the United States, it's one of the most attractive roles in world football.
Henry has previous in North America, starring for the New York Red Bulls as a player before managing Montreal Impact over in Canada. But he's keen to give management another crack, and is hoping to be considered for the USMNT role.
US Soccer are facing huge pressure over their next appointment, with years of work put in behind the scenes in order to prepare for the 2026 World Cup. Berhalter led the USMNT back to the World Cup after an eight-year absence, but saw his contract expire without a follow-up offer in January.
Berhalter fielded the youngest starting XI throughout the entire 2022 World Cup, and their squad is expected to blossom in time for the next competition. Henry may not have the most padded portfolio as a manager, but is head and shoulders above most candidates when it comes to his accolades as a player.
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Since parting ways with Roberto Martinez, Henry has focused on punditry while he plots his next career move. But even fellow pundit Jamie Carragher pleaded for the USMNT to hire Henry, in a hilarious outburst on CBS Sports. "US Soccer, come on! You know what you've got to do," Carragher shouted while live on CBS in January. "Appoint the man! Come on, bring that man in! He's a World Cup winner, European winner, he knows the league, players respect him, get him in!"
And Henry also responded to the USMNT links, as he said: "Well, that's a tricky one. First and foremost Roberto Martinez has gone to Portugal and I haven't gone with him. I'm no longer a no.2 so that's (management) something I'd like to do.
"I would like to have a crack at it... Do I know the players? Yeah, I know the players. Do I know the league? Yeah, I know the league. Would I want to be a manager at any level? Yes, of course. To go back to the USMNT and US Soccer in general, what's the plan, the philosophy? What do you want to be? When you ask yourself those questions you're eventually going to find out those answers."
The fact that the USMNT haven't rushed into an immediate appointment proves how serious they are about making the right decision. It's likely that Henry will be considered, and he's keen to keep his diary clear while they proceed with the recruitment process.