Thierry Henry Resigns From France Under-21 Coach After Olympics

Thierry Henry has resigned as coach of the French Under-21 national football team, the country’s football federation said on Monday, after losing against Spain to win a silver medal at the Paris Olympics. 

The Federation Francaise de Football (FFF) announced that Henry had mentioned personal reasons for his choice to terminate his contract, which was set to run until June 2025.

Henry, who won the 1998 World Cup as a player with France and is his country’s second all-time leading scorer, earned plaudits after his team’s performances at the Olympics.

“I have to thank the FFF and Philippe Diallo [president of the FFF], who gave me this amazing opportunity,” Henry said. “Winning a silver medal at the Olympics for my country will remain one of the proudest achievements of my life.

“I am incredibly grateful to the Federation, the players, the staff, and the supporters who allowed me to live out a magical experience.”

Henry’s Olympic team, comprised of under-23 players along with three overage selections, defeated Argentina and Egypt en route to the final in Paris but ultimately fell to Spain 5-3 after extra time.

Diallo thanked Henry for his professionalism in the statement and added that the FFF is searching for a new coach to take charge ahead of the upcoming qualifiers for the U21 Euro 2025.

Henry has previously managed Monaco in Ligue 1 and the Montreal Impact in MLS, and he also served as an assistant coach during Roberto Martínez’s tenure with Belgium’s senior men’s national team.