Thierry Henry

Former star takes over at struggling Monaco

- John Holmesdale

Monaco and Thierry Henry appear to be a good fit, with the 41-year-old taking his first major coaching job at the club where he burst onto the Ligue 1 scene as a teenage winger under Arsene Wenger’s guidance.

Aston Villa had wanted Henry to replace Steve Bruce, while Bordeaux were also interested, but a chance to learn the managerial ropes in front of modest crowds at the Stade Louis ll proved compelling.

“When the offer came it was quite logical; my heart talked,” says Henry. “You know the connection I have with one club in London, but this is where I started.

“This club will always have a big place in my heart. So to be able to come here and start here again is a dream come true. There’s a lot of work to do, as you can imagine, but I’m more than happy to be here.”

Henry replaced Leonardo Jardim, who was dismissed after a 2-1 home defeat by Rennes that left Monaco 18th in the table. The Portuguese guided Monaco to the Ligue 1 title and Champions League semi-finals last year but was eventually undermined by the club’s policy of constantly selling its best players.

Kylian Mbappe, Benjamin Mendy, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Bernardo Silva left last season, while replacements Youre Tielemans, Keita Balde and Terence Kongolo all struggled. However, Jardim’s remodelled side still managed to finish second in the league, albeit 13 points behind Paris Saint-Germain.