21 August 2023 , 15:51
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Thierry Henry has made a return to management, taking over in charge of the French Under-21 team.
The former Arsenal striker, who won 123 senior caps for Les Bleus during his playing career, has not been in coaching since leaving his role as Roberto Martinez's Belgium number two after the World Cup. He denied claims he had spoken to the Belgian FA about succeeding the Spaniard after the tournament in Qatar, and has been working in punditry in 2023.
Henry has twice served as head coach of a club side, first with Monaco in Ligue 1 and then with Montreal Impact in Major League Soccer. His only international experience so far has come as a number two, with two separate spells under Martinez for Les Diables Rouges.
France's Under-21 side had been managed by Sylvain Ripoli since 2017. However, the post was vacant since the former Lorient boss was sacked in the wake of an early elimination from this summer's Euros, with France winning all three of their Euros group games but sufering a surprise defeat by Ukraine in the quarter-finals.
Henry has signed a contract running until the summer of 2025, with former Angers boss Gerard Baticle serving as his number two. "The FFF wishes to salute the high professional and human quality of the various candidates," a statement from the French Football Federation read, with Henry to take charge of a friendly against Denmark before his team begins its Euro 2025 qualifying campaign.
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According to ESPN, Sabri Lamouchi, Jocelyn Gourvennec and Julien Stephan were the other candidates. Lamouchi most recently managed in the Championship with Cardiff City, while Gourvennec and Stephan have managed in France for their entire careers.
It has been claimed in the same report that Henry has taken a pay-cut in comparison to his previous roles. He is also due to take charge of the French team at the 2024 Olympics, where they qualify automatically as hosts.
How well will Henry get on with France's Under-21s? have your say in the comments section
France's Under-21 side includes talents such as Michael Olise (Flaviu Buboi/NurPhoto via Getty Images)"I would like to make it abundantly clear that contrary to written reports, I have never contacted the Belgian FA offering my services as the new first team coach," Henry told Sky Sports in January. "I think it's vital that the truthful version of facts is always presented."
In the months since, he has been most frequently seen in the commentary studio. Henry has featured regularly on CBS Sports' Champions League coverage.
Henry was just 19 when he made his senior debut for France, but he did score once in seven under-21 appearances. That one goal was a winner against Switzerland in qualifying for the 1998 Euros, but France failed to qualify for the tournament.
France's 2023 Under-21 Euros squad is packed with talent, and a number of those involved will still be under-23 next summer and therefore eligible to play at the Olympics. They include Crystal Palace starlet Michael Olise and Lyon talent Rayan Cherki, while Chelsea defender Malo Gusto will also be eligible to take part.