Thierry Henry Resigns as France Under-21 Coach for Personal Reasons

Thierry Henry has officially stepped down from his position as head coach of the France Under-21 team, as announced by the French Football Federation (FFF) on Monday. The decision, attributed to "personal reasons," comes just months after Henry led the team to a silver medal at the Paris Olympics, marking a significant achievement for French football. His contract was set to run until June 2025, coinciding with the conclusion of the Under-21 European Championship in Slovakia. FFF President Philippe Diallo expressed gratitude for Henry's contributions, highlighting his professionalism and dedication. Under Henry's leadership, the Under-21 squad reached the Olympic final for the first time since 1984, although they fell short against Spain in a thrilling match that ended 5-3 after extra time. Diallo noted that Henry's success in assembling a competitive team, despite challenges in securing player releases from clubs, was commendable. Henry's coaching journey began in August 2023, following his tenure as an assistant coach for Belgium. He has also held coaching roles at Arsenal's youth academy, CF Montreal, and Monaco. His Olympic success has sparked speculation about a potential return to higher-profile coaching positions in the future. The FFF is set to initiate the search for Henry's successor in the coming days, with the new coach expected to lead the team in upcoming Euro 2025 qualifiers against Slovenia and Bosnia.