U21 French National Team: Thierry Henry Reveals Why He Said Yes

Thierry Henry held his first press conference as the coach of the French U21 national team and explained why he accepted the role just a few months before the Olympics.

Henry acknowledged the significance of his role in French football, expressing his happiness and honor to be there. He emphasized his pride in singing the national anthem and representing his country as the coach of the U21 team. He acknowledged the challenges of coaching the U21 team due to the frequent changes in generations and the priority given to clubs, but he sees it as a natural part of the process.

He discussed the failure of the French U23 team at the Olympics, stating that coaching in such a prestigious event cannot be refused. He acknowledged the need to have discussions with clubs and players, understanding their perspectives. He expressed his determination to create a positive atmosphere within the U21 team to make players excited about joining.

Thierry Henry explained his decision to move away from his role as a consultant, stating that he was not fulfilled in that role. He expressed his passion for being on the field and his eagerness for coaching opportunities. He mentioned that while he will continue to be a consultant, he will no longer do so on Prime Video. Coaching the French national team was an opportunity he couldn’t refuse, and he is excited to work with young players.

Addressing his past failures as a coach, Henry acknowledged the doubts that come with such roles. He referenced his experiences with Monaco, where achieving success in just two months was challenging, and his time at Montreal where he managed to lead the team to the playoffs despite difficult circumstances. He emphasized his determination to perform well in his new role and his commitment to improving and learning from his experiences.