How Thierry Henry has reinvented himself as a coach with France at Paris 2024
Being a world-class football player is not always synonymous with being just as good of a coach.
That is something Thierry Henry has battled with since moving into management.
His first stint as a head coach came at AS Monaco, but just five wins saw his tenure come to an end after only 20 games in charge. Henry was in his post for 103 days.
10 months later, a fresh opportunity presented itself at MLS club CF Montreal, lasting over a year this time. But with 16 defeats in 29 games - winning nine and drawing four - he subsequently made the decision to step down.
Then came a role that took him into international management, specifically as an assistant coach with the Belgium national team.
But when yet another temporary post came to an end, the chance of a lifetime was soon on the horizon.
The French federation approached him to manage the Under-21s, as well as the Under-23s at Paris 2024.
It has given Henry the chance to reinvent himself as a manager, and he seized it with both hands.
Now he and France are on the brink of winning an Olympic gold.
Thierry Henry with Loic Bade at Paris 2024.
Henry and France deliver at Paris 2024
Les Bleus cruised through the group stages of the competition, winning three from three.
A thumping 3-0 win over the United States set the precedent, before seeing off Guinea and New Zealand in 1-0 and 3-0 victories respectively.
A tense match-up with Argentina would await them in the quarter-finals, Jean-Philippe Mateta’s fifth-minute goal was enough to secure safe passage into the last four.
Egypt in the semi-final was arguably their toughest test, being pushed to extra time as a result of the game finishing 1-1 at the end of the 90.
Mateta was once again the difference maker, firing them ahead in the first half of the additional 30 before Michael Olise sealed the win against a 10-men side.
Impressively, the French have conceded just one goal across five games, showing just how well-drilled they are at the back.
But it has also been a display of real character, with these young players feeling the weight of a nation on their shoulders to deliver a coveted goal.
That is exactly where Henry deserves his credit, for being the man to guide this team in the most intense circumstances and delivering on the biggest stage of all.
After a difficult start to life as a manager, the 46-year-old appears to have come into his own.
As for being a potential successor to Didier Deschamps for the senior team, President of the French Football Federation, Philippe Diallo, warns of ‘rushing things’.
But he reaffirms his belief in the youth coach, telling RMC: “When I appointed him to this position, there were some who had doubts given what he had done previously.
“I had confidence in him and he is proving it. We still have a gold medal to go for, then there is Euro 2025.
“There will be this new challenge to take up, each of the steps must be taken before thinking about anything else.”
France takes on Spain in the gold medal match on Friday (9 August).