Paris: Thierry Henry has announced his resignation from the position of coach for the France under-21 football team, as confirmed by the French Football Federation (FFF) on Monday.
The former international player made this decision following his leadership of the under-23 team to a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Henry, who is the all-time leading goalscorer for Arsenal, took on the coaching role for the French youth team last summer and was contracted until June 2025.
However, he opted to step down for “personal reasons,” as stated by the FFF. Under his guidance, Les Bleuets reached the final of the Olympic men’s tournament for the first time since their gold medal victory in the 1984 Los Angeles Games.
The young team ultimately lost 5-3 in extra time to Spain, concluding a promising journey that began with challenges, including the need to make several squad adjustments due to clubs not releasing players for the tournament.
“I would like to express my gratitude to the FFF and President Philippe Diallo for this remarkable opportunity,” stated Henry, 47, in an FFF announcement. “Winning an Olympic silver medal for my country will forever be one of my proudest achievements. I am deeply thankful to the federation, the players, the staff, and the fans for this unforgettable experience.”
Federation president Diallo expressed appreciation for the contributions Henry made as coach of the under-21 and Olympic teams.
“We naturally regret this decision, as Thierry Henry successfully met the objectives set for him by securing a silver medal at the Olympic Games in Paris,” he remarked. “Throughout this campaign, I observed his exceptional professionalism, dedication, and passion for the blue jersey.”
