Thierry Henry has resigned from his position as coach of the France under-21 football team, as announced by the French Football Federation (FFF) on Monday. Henry, who also led the under-23 squad to a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, made the decision to step down for “personal reasons” despite having a contract until June 2025.
Henry, Arsenal’s all-time leading goalscorer, took on the role last summer and guided the young French team to their first Olympic men’s final since winning gold in 1984. His team, however, fell short, losing 5-3 in extra time to Spain in the final. The team’s journey to the final was remarkable, especially considering that Henry had to make several pre-tournament squad changes due to club refusals to release players for the Games.
In a statement released by the FFF, Henry, 47, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, stating, “Winning an Olympic silver medal for my country will remain one of the proudest moments of my life. I’m incredibly grateful to the federation, the players, the staff, and the fans for giving me this magical experience.”
FFF President Philippe Diallo thanked Henry for his contributions, noting the 1998 World Cup winner’s professionalism and dedication throughout the campaign, despite regretting his decision to step down.
