Thierry Henry signs with Montreal Impact as head coach
The French international and Arsenal legend come back in the MLS as head coach, the Montreal Impact announced today. Henry left the league 5 years ago when he played for the New York Red Bulls. During his years with in the league the Frenchman scored 51 goals in 122 appearances.
His illustrious career took him from AS Monaco to Juve to Arsenal and to Barcelona where he won the Champions League. At Arsenal, Henry was voted the club’s greatest player ever and has his statue in front of the stadium. On an international level, Henry played for the French national team 123 times and scored 51 goals (most goal scored with France). He won the 1998 World Cup and the 2000 Euros with France.
After he hung up his boots, the former striker immediately fell into coaching, completing his UEFA Pro license and joining Arsenal’s Academy, before joining Belgium as an assistant coach and eventually taking the head coaching job at AS Monaco, in Ligue 1.
In his own words
Here is his first words as the new Montreal Impact head coach.
“I’ve always kept an eye on this club. I spoke often with Patrice Bernier, and people always told me good things. I noticed, especially when I would play here, that people were very warm and friendly. I’m very happy to be able to represent this club and we’ll do our best to make the playoffs, because it’s been a moment since we’ve qualified. We’ll start at the beginning, slowly, and lay a good foundation, so that this club can be where it should.”
“It’s important to try and create a good connection with the community. For me, it’s super important that people are happy to come to the stadium and see the Impact play. We’re going to try and have our style, our philosophy. After, it’s all about work, rigour, and professionalism. Hopefully we’ll all be on the same page quickly to get back into the playoffs first and foremost, which is very important.”
“This city has lots of love for its team. When I would play here, I truly felt it. I thought the stadium was very welcoming. When there’s noise, people, and everyone is really behind the team, it’s really impressive. That’s why when I knew they wanted me here, it fell into place naturally. I’m very, very happy.”
