August 29 – France U-21 manager Thierry Henry has reiterated the importance of the country’s youth teams, ahead of next year’s Olympic Games on home soil, to maintaining the senior side at the top of the world’s elite nations.
Appointed last week, Henry faced the media for the first time and stressed that the role of his team is part of a larger ecosystem that must serve French football and the national team.
“The U-21 team is to be respected,” said Henry. “It’s not a punishment. There were extraordinary generations before. If the players do not want to come or the clubs do not want to let go of their charges, it will be necessary to create a state of mind specific to the team.
“If Didier Deschamps wants to take players, he will. Anything he asks, I’ll do. We must do everything to make the national team the best team in the world.”
In 2024, Henry will lead France at the Olympic Games in Paris, replacing Sylvain Ripoll, who was dismissed after France’s failure at the U-21 European Championship.
“It is an event that happens once in a century,” said Henry. “I want to ensure that French clubs are attuned to the national interest. Throughout the year, we will be in contact. We want to get the best squad possible before the deadline.”
The Olympic football tournament sees sixteen U-23 teams, with three overaged players in their ranks, vie for the gold medal. The French are eyeing the podium, a steep challenge for Henry, whose coaching career has not seen a great deal of success so far.
Henry departed Belgium’s backroom staff after the World Cup in Qatar. He has previously managed AS Monaco and Montreal in Major League Soccer. He will debut in his new role on September 7 against Denmark. Four days later, France will face Slovenia in Euro qualifier.
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