Thierry has the skills to be a great manager, but he must be prepared to sacrifice EVERYTHING

WENGER BACKS HENRY TO BE A VERY SUCCESSFUL COACH BUT WARNS IT CAN LEAD TO A LONELY LIFE OF OBSESSION AND REGRET

ARSENE WENGER has backed Thierry Henry’s bid to become a boss.

Henry revealed on Monday that he was quitting his £4million-a-year role as a Sky Sports pundit to pursue his dream of becoming a manager.

And ex-Arsenal boss Wenger believes he has what it takes to be a successful No.1, along with another of his former players, Patrick Vieira (right), provided they are willing to give their all.

Wenger said: “Often, I’m asked if Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira will be good managers and I always answer yes. They have all the qualities; they’re intelligent, they know football, they have excellent skillset, but do they want to sacrifice what needs to be sacrificed?

“It’s an obsession which bounces around your head day and night. You wake up at 3am thinking about team selection, tactics, formation…”

Henry has had a little taster management in his role as an assistant coach with Roberto Martinez’s Belgium (above).

The former France striker helped Belgium finish third at the World Cup in Russia after a 2-0 victory over England in the third-place play-off.

Wenger also warned of the dangers of management. He said: “I regret having sacrificed everything I did because I realise I’ve hurt a lot of people around me. I’ve neglected a lot of people. I’ve neglected my family, I’ve neglected many close ones. Deep down though, the obsessed man is selfish in his pursuit of what he loves. “He ignores a lot of other things. But it’s a bone to chase at the same time.” Wenger left Arsenal at the of last season, bringing to a close to his 22-year Gunners reign. Asked his biggest mistake, he said: “Perhaps stayof ing at the same club for 22 years. I’m someone who likes to move around a lot, but I also like a challenge.

“I’ve been a prisoner of my own challenge at times.”

And he has yet to decide what to do next, saying: “I’m asking myself the same question! Do I keep doing what I’ve been doing, what I know.

“Or do I share all the knowledge I’ve accumulated over the years in a slightly different way? That’s the question I need to answer in the next few months.”