Thierry Henry has quit as France’s under-21 coach just over a week after defeat in the Olympics football final in Paris, with personal reasons cited.
The Arsenal icon took charge of the under-21s in August last year, and used many of his players in the squad for France’s home Olympics this summer, where they lost 5-3 to Spain after extra-time in the gold medal match.
In a statement released through the French Football Federation, Henry said: “I would like to thank the FFF and the president Philippe Diallo who offered me this incredible opportunity.
“Winning the silver medal at the Olympic Games for my country will remain one of the greatest prides of my life. I am incredibly grateful to the federation, the players, the staff and the supporters who allowed me to live a magical experience.”
Henry won four of his six games in charge of the Under-21s before leading the French side into the Olympics, where men’s football teams are permitted to name a 21-man squad who are all under the age of 23, bar three players.
Henry chose the Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta, ex-Arsenal star Alexandre Lacazette and Sevilla’s Loic Balde as his three overage players, with Mateta scoring five goals en route to France winning the silver medal.
Speaking after losing the Olympic final Henry lamented the loss of focus from his side, saying: “There were a few minutes during the first half in which we disappeared. And we paid a high price for that.
“Then we were able to recover and get back in the game. It wasn’t easy to build this team up, but I’m proud of the work we did.”
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