Thierry Henry Resigns as Manager of France's Under-21 Team Following Olympics Final Defeat

 

Thierry Henry has stepped down from his position as manager of France's under-21 team after the team's defeat by Spain in the Olympics final. Henry, an Arsenal legend, had taken on the role last August following coaching stints with Belgium, Monaco, and Montreal Impact.

Under Henry's leadership, the team achieved an impressive silver medal in the Olympics, narrowly missing out on gold after a 5-3 extra-time loss to Spain, with Sergio Camello scoring two late goals.

In a statement, the French Football Federation (FFF) confirmed Henry's resignation, citing personal reasons behind his decision. The statement read: "Thierry Henry, coach of the French Espoirs team, has decided to terminate his contract, which ran until June 2025, for reasons that are personal to him. At the end of an exceptional campaign at the Olympic Games, punctuated by a silver medal, Thierry Henry spoke with Philippe Diallo, the president of the FFF, to inform him of his decision."

FFF President Philippe Diallo expressed his gratitude for Henry's contributions, stating, "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. We obviously regret this decision because Thierry Henry has achieved the objectives that were set for him by winning an Olympic medal at the Paris Olympics, 40 years after the one in Los Angeles. Having followed him throughout this campaign, I was able to discover his great professionalism, his rigor, and his love of the blue jersey. We wish him good luck for the rest of his career."

Henry also expressed his appreciation for the opportunity, saying, "I would like to thank the FFF and President Philippe Diallo, who offered me this incredible opportunity. Winning the silver medal at the Olympic Games for my country will remain one of the greatest prides of my life. I am incredibly grateful to the federation, the players, the staff, and the supporters who allowed me to live a magical experience."

The FFF has announced that the process of appointing a new coach for the French Espoirs team will begin in the coming days. The new coach is expected to take up their duties during the next two matches, which are part of the Euro 2025 qualifiers scheduled for early September.