Henry ready to ‘hijack’ Arsenal manager job from Arteta
LONDON: Thierry Henry will not take a coaching role at Arsenal but will speak to the club’s board over the managerial position as Mikel Arteta considers a verbal offer to succeed Arsene Wenger, according to reports.
It was revealed that Henry was set to meet with the Gunners hierarchy but that will not be with a view to becoming part of Arteta’s backroom team.
Henry wants the top job and, while Arteta is in advanced talks and almost certain to be confirmed as the new boss, the club’s re c ord go alsc orer is keen to present his ideas tomorrow.
Both former Arsenal players completed their UEFA Pro coaching qualification through the Football Association of Wales this week.
Henry has been assistant to Belgium boss Roberto Martinez since 2016 while Arteta has been Pep Guardiola’s right-hand man at Manchester City.
The former striker played for Arsenal between 1999 and 2007 and is the club’s all-time record scorer with 228 goals.
Arteta, however, remains favourite to succeed Arsene Wenger, with the 68-year-old giving his backing to his former player.
Arteta, who spent five seasons at Arsenal before going into coaching in 2016, has been assistant to Pep Guardiola at City for the past two seasons.
Wenger told beIN SPORTS: “Arteta has all the qualities to do the job. He was a leader, he has a passion for the game and he knows the club well. He knows what is important at the club and he was captain. Why not?”
He also played down Arteta’s lack of previous managerial experience, saying: “I left a lot of experience, people who were with me like Steve Bould and Jens Lehmann.”
Arteta remains the preferred candidate of chief executive Ivan Gazidis and director Josh Kroenke, son of owner Stan.
Arsenal have also spoken to New York City FC manager Patrick Vieira, who won three Premier League titles and was a member of the 2004 Invincibles.