ESPN FC’s Gab Marcotti explains that Thierry Henry may be one of the best French players ever, after amassing 20 trophies in a 21-year career.
Thierry Henry has said it feels “weird” to have quit football and acknowledged he has a lot to learn before he can consider coaching a team.
Henry, 37, announced his retirement earlier this month after the expiration of his contract with New York Red Bulls. His decision brought an end to a career in which the striker won virtually every honour available to him, becoming Arsenal’s and France’s all-time leading scorer in the process.
After two decades at the top level, Henry told friend and radio host, the NBA star Tony Parker, he had made the right decision, even if it would take some getting used to.
“It feels weird. Now, I can look back at my career, take it in and analyse it. It’s bizarre,” said Henry in an interview with RMC.
“It’s not an easy decision, because it’s something you have done for half your life,” said Henry, who made his professional debut at Monaco in 1994. “It was the good moment for me, I don’t regret it. The dressing room, the evening of a big game, suffering together, I’m always going to miss it, but that’s normal.”
THIERRY HENRY
Henry retires | Premier League Hero | Top moments
Clubs and goals: Total – 411 goals in 917 games
Monaco (28), Juventus (3), Arsenal (228), Barcelona (49), New York Red Bulls (52)
Internationals: France – 51 goals in 123 games
Trophies: Ligue 1 (1); Trophee des champions (1); Premier League (2); FA Cup (3); FA Community Shield (2); Spanish La Liga (2); Copa del Rey (1); Supercopa de España (1); UEFA Champions League (1); UEFA Super Cup (1); FIFA Club World Cup (1); MLS Supporters’ Shield (1); MLS Eastern Conference (2); World Cup 1998; Euro 2000; Confederations Cup 2003.
Henry will begin work with Sky Sports in England as a pundit in 2015 after impressing in the role during last summer’s World Cup. He will, however, also pursue his studies with the aim of taking a more hands-on role at a club in the future.
In a recent interview with L’Equipe, Arsene Wenger admitted he felt Henry would return to Arsenal, where the pacy forward spent eight fruitful years. Media have suggested the former Juventus and Barcelona man could even replace Wenger in the dugout, but Henry conceded he is nowhere near ready yet.
“I have to pass my coaching badges and my qualifications to be a manager,” said Henry. “I’m going to have to equip myself before I can be a manager. It’s the first step to take.
“I know football a little bit, so I’m going to try and help people understand certain passages of play. I will only be analysing things. I’ll be available for everything SKY does. I hope I can give back to football what it has given to me,
“I won’t be disconnected from the world of football, while also having the opportunity to take my badges,” he said. “I’m going to try to do it. A lot of people are asking me right now whether or not I’m going to become a coach. I’m not there yet.”
The ESPN FC crew do not seem to agree with the Premier League’s all-time best player as Craig Burley cites Henry as the best to him, while Stuart Holden believes Alan Shearer was the better pure goal-scorer.
Henry said he understands there’s a big difference between being a great player and knowing the game and being able to manage at the highest level and teach and educate others about the game. Of his playing days, the Frenchman said, “I went to training and I went home.”
“The coaches, they stay and prepare the following day’s session,” said Henry. “You have to prepare this and that, decide if this one or that one plays. The following day, the player comes into the dressing room and asks, ‘Why am I not playing?’. After, there’s another that comes to see you. Those are things you don’t have to think about when you’re a player.
“You have to study and re-learn another life and a sport that you have always done from the other side. A side you don’t know. I’m going to try and do all that slowly. It’s not always the case that just because you had a great career, you become a good coach. I’m going to have to handle all that and learn.”