THIERRY IS MAD FOR IT

Henry’s UEFA coach said striker worked like crazy to earn his chance at Monaco

THIERRY HENRY the coach was made in Wales – and his teacher claimed he worked like a “mad man” to be ready to take his first job at Monaco. Monaco. I spoke to him on Saturday and I felt he was happy and very focused. He said to me: ‘This is it – I am going to drive solo now!’ He is aware that he is going to make some mistakes, but he is ready.”

Henry arrives at Monaco needing to lift the club out of the bottom three of the French League, and Roberts said his coaching style will be “pragmatic” and “realistic”.

He added: “Pep Guardiola has been an enormous influence on him, but he also learned a lot at the New York Red Bulls where he did not play in the best team with the best players.” And Roberts said World Cup winners Henry and Vieira – now boss at Nice – are “very similar”.

He said: “They are both natural leaders and have the same ambition. But they know a great playing career will not necessarily be a great help in their new jobs, as the football world is full of great former players who became poor coaches.”

Didier Deschamps, who lifted the World Cup as France manager in the summer, said: “Thierry’s ready. He has everything to be a good coach.

“He’s throwing himself into an exciting project. It’ll be up to him to take the reins.”