Thierry Henry ‘favored to take France U21 job’ ahead of next year’s Paris Olympics after CBS Sports pundit interviewed Monday
Thierry Henry ‘favored to take France U21 job’ ahead of next year’s Paris Olympics after CBS Sports pundit interviewed Monday
Thierry Henry is reportedly the favorite to take the vacant France U21 managerial position.
The football legend and popular CBS Sports pundit was interviewed Monday for the role and is considered the leader of the four candidates.
The French Football Federation sacked U21 manager Sylvain Ripoll at the end of July after six years in charge, after he was recently knocked out in the quarter-finals of the U21s Euros against Ukraine.
Now Henry is the preferred candidate of the French Ministry of Sports ahead of Sabri Lamouchi, Jocelyn Gourvennec and Julien Stephan, according to L’Equipe.
His first tournament in that role would be the 2024 Paris Olympics, with the French government’s sports department seeking a big ‘name’ at the helm.
Football legend and CBS sports analyst Thierry Henry is ‘favourite for France U21 job’
The Frenchman has had questionable spells at the helm of Monaco and Montreal Impact
After a stellar career in the game, Henry’s share among the younger generation skyrocketed thanks to his social media-friendly work at CBS Sports, where he has been an analyst for their Champions League coverage since September 2021.
Alongside presenter Kate Abdo, Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards, he forms a formidable foursome that has taken the internet by storm with witty sound bites and banter.
His management credentials are less certain. Over two reels with Monaco and Montreal Impact, his win rate is just 26.5 percent.
He was also Belgium’s assistant manager on two occasions, helping them finish third in the 2018 World Cup under Roberto Martinez as a highlight. The 45-year-old left that role earlier in 2022 and was eager to return to management, even discussing taking on the national job with Belgian Football Association CEO Peter Bossaert.
More to follow.