Thierry Henry Considered for Wales Manager Position
Legendary former Arsenal and France striker Thierry Henry is being considered as a potential successor to Rob Page as the manager of the Wales national football team. Henry, who has previous managerial experience with Monaco and Montreal Impact, is currently in charge of France’s Under-21 side and is set to lead the country’s Olympic team in the upcoming Games in Paris.
Henry has a connection to Wales, as he studied for his coaching badges with the Football Association of Wales (FAW). The FAW recently sacked Rob Page after three-and-a-half years in charge following Wales’ failure to qualify for Euro 2024. The governing body intends to take its time in appointing a new manager, with Wales’ next fixture not until their Nations League campaign against Turkey in September.
Some FAW officials are eager to bring in a big name, similar to when they appointed former Wales and Manchester United captain Ryan Giggs in 2018. Thierry Henry would be an even higher-profile appointment, given his status as one of the greatest players of his generation and his current role as a television pundit in addition to coaching France’s Under-21 team.
While the FAW may not be able to offer Henry as large a salary as other national associations, they believe that his ability to maintain his lucrative media and sponsorship work alongside his managerial duties would make a deal feasible. This was also the case with Ryan Giggs, who balanced his managerial responsibilities with various business and commercial interests.
Thierry Henry had a highly successful playing career, winning multiple Premier League titles, FA Cups, and individual accolades during his time at Arsenal. He also achieved success with Barcelona, winning La Liga titles and the Champions League. After retiring from playing, Henry pursued a coaching career, serving as an assistant coach for teams like Belgium before taking on managerial roles.
Former Wales striker Robert Earnshaw, speaking on the BBC Wales’ Elis James’ Feast of Football podcast, praised Henry’s football acumen and knowledge of the Welsh football set-up. Earnshaw believes that Henry’s experience with young players, as evidenced by his work with France’s Under-21s and the Olympic team, would elevate the level of Welsh football.
In conclusion, Thierry Henry is being considered as a potential candidate for the Wales manager position following Rob Page’s departure. While the FAW may not be able to offer him a large salary, they believe that his ability to balance his media and sponsorship work with the managerial role makes him a viable option. Henry’s successful playing career, coaching experience, and understanding of young players could bring new ideas and raise the level of Welsh football.