Great players do not always make great managers and, for Thierry Henry, there have been times in his coaching career when his own brilliance on the football field has proved problematic. During his disastrous spell at Monaco, for example, he once demonstrated a piece of skill to such spectacular effect that none of his players dared try it after him.
Clearly, there is a fine line between inspiration and intimidation – and Henry has not always succeeded in finding that balance. This is one reason why his progress as a manager has been slower than he would have liked, and indeed one reason why many outsiders had effectively written off his chances of ever becoming an elite-level coach.
But Henry is still learning, still improving and still trying to make his way in the world of management. The former Arsenal striker is currently in the process of spectacularly rebuilding his coaching reputation, thanks to his eye-catching work at this summer’s Olympic Games, and on Friday his France side meet Spain in the tournament’s final.
The immediate prize is a gold medal. But, over the longer-term, there is much more to be gained for Henry. Just this week, the president of the French Football Federation did not reject the possibility of Henry ultimately succeeding the long-serving Didier Deschamps as the manager of the country’s senior team.
“When I appointed him to this position [coach of the France under-21s], there were some who had doubts given what he had done previously,” said FFF president Philippe Diallo in an interview with RMC. “I had confidence in him and he is proving it.”
Perhaps the most striking element of Henry’s work at the Olympics is the bond he has evidently created with his players. After France’s thrilling semi-final victory over Egypt, he was filmed dancing in the dressing room. The players were all cheering him on, urging this legend of the sport to be one with them. “Honestly I am living a dream,” he said that night. “I don’t want to wake up.”