Henry quits as Montreal coach to rejoin family
Thierry Henry has stepped down as Montreal head coach for family reasons, saying the separation from his family had proved to be “too big of a strain” during the pandemic.
Henry said travel restrictions had meant that he had been unable to see his children over the past year. He took over at the Major League Soccer side in November 2019, a few months before the start of the pandemic.
Henry had been considered for the Bournemouth job before the Championship club decided to appoint Jonathan Woodgate until the end of the season. “It is with a heavy heart that I’m writing this message,” Henry said. “The last year has been an extremely difficult one for me personally.
“Due to the worldwide pandemic, I was unable to see my children.
Unfortunately, due to the ongoing restrictions and the fact that we will have to relocate to the US again for several months [at least] it will be no different. The separation is too big of a strain for me and my kids.
“Therefore, it is with much sadness that I must take the decision to return to London and leave CF Montreal. I would like to thank the fans, players and all the staff of this club that have made me feel so welcome.”
Olivier Renard, Montreal’s sporting director, said Henry’s departure was “unfortunate and premature” because his time at the club had been “very promising”.
Henry’s managerial career began with Monaco in October 2018, a role which came after he had worked as the assistant manager of Belgium and within the Arsenal academy, but he was sacked by the French side after just three months in charge.
The former Arsenal and France striker’s return to London will put him in a good position to secure his first managerial job in English football.