Thierry Henry has officially stepped down from his role as the head coach of the French under-21 and Olympic football teams, according to an announcement made by the French Football Federation (FFF).
The legendary Arsenal striker, who took over the youth side last summer, was initially under contract until June 2025 but has chosen to leave for “personal reasons.”
FFF president Philippe Diallo expressed his gratitude for Henry’s contributions, stating, “We thank Thierry for all the work he accomplished as coach of the Espoirs (under-21s) and Olympic sides.”
Henry’s tenure as coach culminated in an impressive showing at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, where he led the French youth team to their first Olympic final since winning gold in 1984. Despite a challenging start to the tournament, which saw Henry making several last-minute changes due to club refusals to release players, the young French side advanced to the final, only to be narrowly defeated by Spain in a thrilling 5-3 match after extra time.
The decision to step down marks the end of a brief but eventful chapter in Henry’s coaching career, during which he showcased his ability to develop young talent on the international stage.
The FFF is now tasked with finding a successor who can continue the progress made under Henry’s guidance.