Official | Thierry Henry resigns as France U21 manager | OneFootball

Thierry Henry has left his role as manager of the France U21 team, following Les Bleus’ run to the final of the recently concluded Olympic Games in Paris.

Henry was appointed one year ago and has led both the France U21 team, as well as the U23 team in the Olympics. Earlier this month, he led France to the final of the Olympics, ultimately losing 5-3 to Spain in extra-time. The former AS Monaco and Montreal Impact manager replaced Sylvain Ripoll in the post following an underwhelming Euro U21 campaign last summer.

During his time in the position, Henry won four out of his six games as U21 manager, including a 9-0 hammering of Cyrpus – a record for Les Bleuets. In a press release, the FFF announced that Henry had left due to “personal reasons”. Henry also spoke in the communiqué, thanking FFF president Philippe Diallo, and stating that winning the Silver medal at the Olympics was “one of the biggest honours of [his] life.”

Diallo added that he “regretted” Henry’s decision, given that the objectives were reached in Paris earlier this month, but thanked him for his “great professionalism, rigour and love for the blue shirt”, whilst wishing him the best for the future.

The communiqué revealed that the FFF, through President Diallo, have already begun the search for a successor as manager of the France U21 side. France U21s next face Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia in the upcoming international break in early September.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle