We left Thierry Henry on August 9 with the silver medal around his neck. His French team had just been beaten in the final of the Olympic Games by a superior Spain (5-3 tab). Nevertheless, its players knew how to conquer the hearts of the public. This is undoubtedly his greatest reward even if he would have preferred to bring another metal in his suitcase. What followed was more surprising. Against all expectations, the coach left his post while the Euro Espoirs in Slovakia was looming (June 11 to 28, 2025). “It was time to stop. It’s a bit personal», he explains to RMC This evening.
The 1998 world champion is now free, but this Olympic experience has reconciled him with the profession of coach, he who had a last complicated adventure at AS Monaco. “I needed to prove to myself that I could lead a group. Not to show it to people but to myself, to show that I can have an impact on a player or a team. I aspire and I would like to return to a bench. Afterwards, I work for CBS (English television), there is family, sponsors…» He will not take on just any project before returning to service. He even says it.
Thierry Henry wants to see Zidane at the head of the Blues
“For the moment, there is nothing, no contact. We’ll see how it develops but I’m in no hurry.» Still, the future departure of Didier Deschamps at the head of the France team could change the situation. The coach plans to let go of his apron after the 2026 World Cup. Thierry Henry, along with Zinedine Zidane, is one of the two favorites to take over. “I don’t know anything about it. You know I won’t answer you. You have to ask Mr. Diallo (the president of the FFF). There is always a coach in place, it’s Didier Deschamps and I wish him good luck for the next competition. After that, you have to ask Mr. Diallo.»
The former top scorer of the Blues still got wet. According to him, the Zidane choice is obvious. “This is what everyone has been thinking and asking for a long time and it would be deserved» he said this Tuesday, still on the radio. The person concerned will appreciate the decisive pass from his former partner. He also took advantage of his visit to deny the rumor of a return to the Belgian team to replace Domenico Tedesco, who should not last very long. “You teach me something. There is no contact with the Belgian federation.» As a reminder, he was Roberto Martinez’s assistant during the 2018 World Cup.
