SUMMARY
- Henry's last major stint as manager came in 2021 with CF Montreal in MLS.
- Henry joined the MLS side in November 2019.
Thierry Henry is one of the highly decorated players of the 21st century. It is hard to argue against the fact that the former World Cup winner can be considered one of the game’s best strikers. However, his managerial career has been a different story. Henry has managed only 49 games as the head coach with two different sides.
Henry’s last major stint as manager came in 2021 with CF Montreal in MLS, which ended abruptly due to personal reasons. The former French international opened up about those personal reasons for his appearance on the Diary of a CEO podcast.
Henry talked about why he left the MLS club back in 2021. He explained by boldly stating: “My kids saved me and I am not saying that just like that but literally. I don’t know where I was going mentally. I don’t know.” Henry painted the picture of the time when he was set to return to Montreal after a break and was saying goodbye to his family.
[Diary of a CEO Podcast] Thierry Henry recollects his memory of when he stepped down from coaching duties at Montreal Impact.
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He revealed: “Everyone was kind of aware of that, as I was about to leave, I put my bags down and everyone starts to cry. From the nanny to my girlfriend to my kids. and for the first time because at that moment, it was little me that felt it.”
Henry went on further and added that he felt seen, not for his soccer career, not for his accolades but for him, he “felt human”. That was the moment Henry decided to leave his role at the MLS club to spend more time with his family.
Thierry Henry stepped down from the CF Montreal manager role for personal reasons
Henry joined the MLS side in November 2019 as Montreal became the second club where the former French international joined as the head coach. His first stint came with AS Monaco in Ligue 1, however, that job didn’t last long as he was sacked after 20 games at the start of 2019.
Henry was out of a managerial job for 10 months before moving to MLS. His spell with the MLS side also ended early with only 29 games on the hot seat. The French manager left the role for family reasons during the pandemic.
BREAKING: Thierry Henry is stepping down as manager of CF Montreal, citing family reasons 🚨 pic.twitter.com/A375ZbFFSL
— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 25, 2021
Henry explained in the official statement that he felt distant from his family during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the distance is causing unbearable strain on his mental health. He returned to his family in London before joining the Belgium side as assistant manager.
Thierry Henry is coaching France U21 for the 2024 Olympics
In 2024, Henry is currently with the Under 21 side of France. He joined the side back in August 2023 and has his sights set on the 2024 Olympics in Paris. The former Arsenal striker replaced Sylvain Ripoll in the hot seat as he looks to steer his management career back on track.
Thierry Henry will become the new France under-21 head coach after he was chosen by the French Football Federation (FFF), sources have told ESPN’s @LaurensJulien. pic.twitter.com/A5MoljpgSE
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 18, 2023
Henry worked with Arsenal’s youth side back in the 2014/15 season and remained at the post till the summer of 2016. The French manager has also worked as a TV pundit for CBS Sports alongside Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards. The Paris Olympics might be the last chance for Henry to redeem his managerial career.