Being a favourite among football spectators around the world, it would most certainly be a treat for any fan to see Thierry Henry move on from being a pundit on TV to taking up a coaching role at a club.
Arsenal FC fans would definitely be hoping that their legend comes back to take over the reins from Arsene Wenger, who had brought the former France striker to North London in the first place.
Henry has already been involved in coaching roles with the youth teams of Arsenal, but now the Frenchman has reportedly decided to officially move on to professional management. The Arsenal legend posted a picture of himself being awarded the UEFA A coaching license on social media.
The 38-year-old, who got his A License under the guidance of the Welsh Football Association, wrote on Instagram, “Massive thank you to Osian Roberts, @welshfootballtrust and the Arsenal Academy for assisting me to pass my UEFA A Licence coaching badge.”
The UEFA A license will allow Henry to manage professional clubs. However, the 38-year-old is not yet ready to take over a Premier League club, as this license does not allow him to manage in top flight football. To be able to manage a top flight club, Henry now needs to set his eyes on getting a UEFA pro license.
Is Henry going the Vieira way?
The main question on the minds of many Arsenal fans is regarding where their legend might be heading after he gets his coaching badges. One answer to this question, that is ever so dreadful for all the Gunners fans, is Manchester City. Patrick Vieira’s transition from a player to a manager is testament to the fact that going into Manchester City’s system could be a viable option for Henry.
Also, according to Piers Morgan, Pep Guardiola (who will take over at City in the next season), wanted to manage Arsenal, with Henry as one of his assistants.
I was told on VERY good authority last night that Pep Guardiola wanted to come to Arsenal with Thierry Henry as his No2. #afc
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) March 3, 2016
While that move is surely not happening anytime soon, Henry’s new coaching license may see an offer from the former Barcelona coach. The fact that Henry had worked under Guardiola at Barcelona could prove to be of significance in getting the Arsenal legend to join City.
Also with the City football group’s vast array of clubs, they have enough resources to cultivate young and promising managers — just like they are doing with current New York City FC manager and ex-Arenal captain Patrick Vieira.