2023-08-21 17:10:37
End of suspense. Thierry Henry will take the reins of the France Espoirs team. The decision was taken this Monday afternoon by the Comex of the FFF, meeting by videoconference. Already announced in our columns at the end of last week, this prestigious appointment is now official. According to our information, it was passed unanimously.
The former idol of Arsenal and the tricolor selection (123 caps, 51 goals) is entrusted with a mission of the utmost importance: to shine at the Olympic Games in less than a year in Paris, and to climb on the podium at least . A goal on which President Philippe Diallo and his teams do not compromise despite a missed Euro this summer. As a reminder, the early elimination against Romania in the quarter-finals (3-1) cost his job to Sylvain Ripoll, in office since 2017 and who did not resist this second hiccup after that of the Tokyo Olympics.
Thierry Henry, preferred to Jocelyn Gourvennec, Sabri Lamouchi and Julian Stéphan, had to give up his lucrative activities as a TV consultant in France and abroad for this position. He now knows he is eagerly awaited. His first two experiences as head coach generated some doubts. He only lasted three months in Monaco (October 2018-January 2019) and a little more at the Montreal Impact (November 2019-February 2021) during the period of confinement due to Covid-19. However, these stints as an assistant with the Red Devils have left the image of a charismatic man, attentive and very appreciated by his players, especially his attackers.
While his first on the bench will take place in early September (the 7th, in a friendly against Denmark, then the 11th in Slovenia, for the start of qualifying for the Euro), we all already have in mind his potential collaboration with Kylian Mbappé during the Olympic tournament. A dream poster that will require a lot of work not to turn into new disappointment for the authorities. In the meantime, the new coach should be presented before the end of the week.
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