Thierry Henry turns down the job in France, keen on USMNT

Thierry Henry has turned down the chance to coach the France women’s national team following the sacking of Corrine Diacre last week, said Jean-Michel Aulas, a member of the French federation’s (FFF) committee.

Henry, who is second in France’s all-time top scorer list with 51 goals, was most recently an assistant coach with Belgium before departing with coach Roberto Martinez at the end of the 2022 World Cup.

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“I asked personally [Henry] the question, but the answer was not positive,” Aulas told Le Figaro.

“He was obviously very flattered to be asked. We did it because we were told he might be interested.

“But it won’t be Thierry Henry. I think he’ll move on to other projects.”

Sources have told ESPN that Henry is keen on the vacant position of head coach of the US men’s national team. The USMNT has been without a permanent coach since Gregg Berhalter’s contract expired in late 2022.

US Soccer said this week that Berhalter remains a candidate to return to the position following an investigation into allegations of domestic violence against him.

Henry, who both plays and coaches in Major League Soccer, hinted last month that he was ready to lead the USA as they join Canada and Mexico to host the 2022 World Cup.

“Do I know the players? Yes, I know the players. Do I know the league? Yes, I know the league,” Henry, who coached CF Montreal in the 2020 season, told CBS.

“Would I want to be a manager at any level? Yes, of course. That’s one of the things I’d like to do.”

France parted ways with Diacre just four months before the Women’s World Cup amid controversy over resistance from several leading players.

France captain Wendie Renard said last month she would skip this year’s World Cup because she was unhappy with the team’s line-up.