When we talk about the best strikers in football history, Thierry Henry has to be mentioned. The Frenchman is Arsenal’s all-time leading scorer with 228 goals in all competitions and won the Premier League Golden Boot four times. Henry was named the best player of his country for a record five times, is fifth in appearances on the national team, and second all-time scorer.
After finishing his magnificent career, Henry pursued a coaching career, taking the lead at AC Monaco, the team where he also started as a footballer. Things didn’t go well as planned, and Henry soon realized that he was much better at the pitch than being by the sideline. While Henry struggled as a manager, he has found a new role in football analytics, proving that even legends must adapt to remain influential in the sport.
The Monaco Disaster: Why Henry Failed as a Coach
After winning Ligue 1 in 2016, AS Monaco was one of the most exciting teams in Europe, according to the football predictions. However, the team could not keep up with PSG, and in 2018, Monaco dismissed Leonardo Jardim as club manager. They needed some fresh blood and decided to give Henry a shot. He was an assistant coach with the Belgium national team, and this looked like a perfect opportunity to take over an elite club.
“This club will always have a big place in my heart, so to be able to come here and start again, it is a dream come true. There is a lot of work to do, as you can imagine – but I am more than happy to be here,” said Henry at the introductory press conference.
Anyway, the team was already struggling at the beginning of the season, and Henry could not change the culture. No one really expected a miracle from him, but winning only two of 20 games was very disappointing, and Henry got sacked after only three months in charge.
Player Discontent and Management Style Issues
Henry’s move from the football boots to the managerial position was not smooth at all. Being one of the best players in the world in his prime, Henry set high standards for his squad, which did not sit well with the players. Henry jumped into a high-pressure situation with the team being in 15th place in the Ligue 1 standings when he took over the job.
There were multiple reports of players being unhappy with Henry’s approach, and the Frenchman had a lack of connection with his squad since day one. The players felt like he expected them to play on the level he used to, which, we will all agree, was simply too much.
Henry could not hide his frustration and he even got into an argument with opponents. It was very hard to survive in that situation, as the players were not helping him to implement his style, and very soon, Henry was dismissed. Monaco decided to part ways with Henry and brought back Jardim.
Rethinking His Role in Football: The Move to Analytics
Following the disappointing tenure with Monaco, Henry went overseas and took over Montreal Impact of the MLS. Henry was quite good in his new role, leading the team to the playoffs, but being away from his family was something he wasn’t ready for.
After going back home, Henry wanted to stay in football, but this time in a new role. Being one of the most charismatic players, Henry became a respected pundit on Sky Sports and CBS Sports.
His exceptional analytics skills put him in a situation to provide the most accurate football predictions. Henry was known for deep tactical breakdowns and insightful analysis and used data-driven insights to explain key moments in matches. The camera simply loved him, and again, he became one of the fans’ favorites.
While Henry was still playing, he was regarded as one of the players with the highest IQ, and often he scored without even kicking the ball as hard as he could. He used his outstanding football knowledge and analytical skills and was praised for his ability to blend personal experience with statistical insights.
Henry adopted a more modern approach, embracing data to understand football better, and his presence was a real refreshment for football fans. He became an advocate for using analytics to improve player development and strategy and found himself enjoying the new role much better than the managerial position.
A New Path: Could Henry Return to Coaching?
There is no doubt that Henry is one of the best football analysts today but at the same time, he still wants to be closer to the pitch. Henry is still only 47 years old and despite the slow and disappointing start of his coaching career, he will most likely get back to the bench.
Last year, he led the French national team to the silver medal at the Paris Olympics, and it is only a matter of time before he gets back on the pitch. Henry will probably follow in the footsteps of other great Premier League players from his generation and take over a team from the lower competitions like the Championship. There are still no rumors on where Henry may go, but we can expect him back with a coaching job as early as the 2025-26 season.
