Thierry Henry has decided to step down as the head coach of France’s under-21 football team, a move that comes right after guiding the young squad to a silver medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Henry’s departure, which he cites as being for “personal reasons,” marks the end of a chapter that began in August 2023 when he first took on the responsibility of leading France’s national youth setup.
Now, if you’re like me, you probably saw Henry’s journey through this role as something of a redemption story. After all, France’s silver medal in Olympic men’s football was a historic achievement—their first since the 1984 Los Angeles Games. It’s a milestone that many of us fans had been waiting decades to witness.
But let’s not forget that being an exceptional player doesn’t automatically make someone a great coach. Henry, as much as we admire him, has had his fair share of challenges since transitioning to the sidelines. His first coaching role at AS Monaco was tough, to say the least. Only five wins in 20 games—barely three months into the job—and he was shown the door. That was a bitter pill to swallow for those of us who had high hopes for his managerial career.
When he moved on to MLS with CF Montreal, we all thought, “This could be it, this is where he turns things around.” And while he lasted a bit longer—over a year—the results were still disappointing: 16 losses out of 29 matches. Eventually, he stepped down, and it felt like yet another setback.
Henry’s next role was a bit more behind the scenes, serving as an assistant coach for Belgium’s national team. He wasn’t in the spotlight as much, but it was clear he was gaining valuable experience. And then came the opportunity that any coach would dream of—the chance to lead France’s under-21 and under-23 teams, culminating in the home Olympic Games.
This role seemed to breathe new life into Henry’s coaching career, and you could feel that he was embracing the opportunity with everything he had. Leading the team to a silver medal wasn’t just a win for France; it was a personal triumph for Henry, a moment where he proved to himself and to all of us that he still has what it takes.
So, while it’s sad to see him step down, especially after such a successful run, it’s also understandable. Sometimes, personal reasons outweigh professional success, and Henry’s decision reminds us that behind every legend is a human being who needs to take care of himself first.
