Thierry Henry has officially been appointed as AS Monaco’s new manager, the club have confirmed.
Henry had been linked with a move to the French giants for quite a while, and the rumors only intensified once Leonardo Jardim got sacked earlier this week.
As it turns out, there was substance to those rumors. Monaco have now officially confirmed the Frenchman’s appointment on a three-year deal in a statement on their official website that read:
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"“AS Monaco announces the appointment of Thierry Henry as coach of the professional team. He commits himself for three seasons, until June 2021.”"
Speaking about the appointment, AS Monaco’s CEO and Vice-President Vadim Vasilyev said:
"“His knowledge of football, his passion for the game, his high standards and his commitment to our colors make his nomination a reality.Thierry is both aware of the task ahead and eager to start his new job. He can count on our trust and all our support to bring a new dynamic to the team and carry out the mission.”"
This is Henry’s first foray into management as a head coach, having previously worked as an assistant manager for Belgium’s national side – a role he has now relinquished following the announcement.
The Arsenal legend spoke of his ‘great pride’ at being appointed as manager of the club that gave him his first professional contract in football as a player in a post on Instagram that read:
"“It is with great pride that I am delighted to announce that I have accepted the position to become the manager of AS Monaco FC.“I was fortunate to receive some very attractive offers over the last few months but Monaco will always be close to my heart. Having started my footballing career with this great club, it seems like fate that I will now begin my managerial career here too.“I’m incredibly excited to be given this opportunity but now the hard work must begin. Can’t wait.”"
As mentioned earlier, Henry has stepped down from his role as Belgium’s assistant manager, bringing an end to his two-year spell as part of Roberto Martinez’s backroom staff. He confirmed his departure from the role in another post, captioned:
"“It’s with great sadness that I must say goodbye to the Belgium national team.“I have had an incredible two years helping Roberto Martinez coach this wonderfully talented group of players and watch them blossom into the great side they are today.“I would like to thank the Belgium federation, Roberto, all the staff and players for making a Frenchman feel so welcome amongst all of you Red Devils!“I wish you every success in the future and I’m sure there will be even greater things to come.”"
Henry has been eager to get a taste of management for quite a while now, and made it clear just how determined he was to take the step up and become a manager by leaving his role as a Sky Sports pundit in the summer.
There have already been signs that the 41-year-old will succeed at the top, with Romelu Lukaku lavishing praise on him earlier this year for how immense a role he has played in the Manchester United striker’s career so far.
Monaco are in desperate need of some help after making a shocking start to the season. They have just one win from their opening 9 games, losing 5 of them so far. They are 18th in table at the moment, and Henry faces a real test on his hands to get them back to winning ways and competing for a Champions League spot.