Thierry Henry steps down as France U-21 boss

Thierry Henry has stepped down from his role as head coach of the France Under-21 side.

The French Football Federation (FFF) announced Henry’s decision on Monday, saying the former Arsenal and Barcelona forward had left for “personal reasons”.

Henry was under contract with the FFF until June 2025 and the conclusion of the Under-21 European Championship in Slovakia.

The 47-year-old took charge of the France Under-23 squad that won Olympic silver at the Paris Games earlier this summer, as his side lost 5-3 in the final against Spain.

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“On behalf of the FFF, I would like to thank Thierry Henry for all the work he has accomplished at the head of the Espoirs and Olympiques teams,” said FFF president Philippe Diallo.

“We obviously regret this decision because Thierry Henry was able to achieve the objectives that had been set for him by winning a silver medal at the Paris Olympics, 40 years after the Olympic medal in Los Angeles.

“Having followed him throughout this campaign, I was able to discover his great professionalism, his rigour and his love of the blue shirt. We wish him good luck for the rest of his career.”

Henry took charge of the France Under-21 side in August 2023, having previously worked as an assistant coach for the Belgium senior side. He left that role following Roberto Martinez’s departure after the 2022 World Cup.

Henry has previously worked as a coach in the Arsenal youth set-up, as well as head coaching roles at CF Montreal and Monaco