AS Monaco FC, a French Ligue One football club have appointed Arsenal legend, Thierry Henry as their new manager. He signed a three year contract after months of negotiation with the French club. This development means that Henry will take his first steps into management at the club where he incidentally began his professional career.
From Monaco, where Nigeria’s Victor Ikpeba also played, the Frenchman obviously played with some of the biggest clubs in his glowing football carrer, joining Juventus, Arsenal before joining Barcelona. Henry spent six years with the Principality club and reports have it that he is delighted to be making a return.
“In the first place, I thank AS Monaco for giving me the opportunity to coach the team of this club, which is so special to me,” Henry was quoted to have said following his appointment. “I am very happy to come back to AS Monaco and extremely determined to meet the challenges ahead. I cannot wait to meet the players to start working together.”
Henry had worked alongside former Everton boss Roberto Martinez in the Belgium set-up, and helped the side to a third-placed finish at the World Cup in Russia. Vadim Vasilyev, Monaco’s vice president, has already waxed lyrical about the appointment, made after Monaco fell apart with the manager, which led to the sacking of Leonardo Jardim earlier in the week.
Speaking of Henry he said, “His knowledge of football, his passion for the game, his high standards and his commitment to our colours make his nomination a reality. Thierry is both aware of the task ahead and eager to start his new job. He can count on our trust and all our support to bring a new dynamic to the team and carry out the mission.”
From all indications, Henry’s task at his new club is a difficult one as he is charged with turning around the form of a side, which have picked up only six points from nine Ligue matches this season. While it’s true that Monaco won the French title a mere 17 months ago, a mass of sales including Kylian Mbappe, Thomas Lemar, Fabinho, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Bernardo Silva has drastically reduced the quality of the squad. Currently they sit 18th in Ligue 1 table. But Henry’s first game in charge will be on October 20 with a trip to Strasbourg.
