Thierry Henry says ‘Arsene Wenger opened my mind but Pep Guardiola opened my eyes’, as France U21 boss continues his winning start with 4-0 victory in Slovenia
- Thierry Henry praised the approaches of Arsene Wenger and Pep Guardiola
- The former Arsenal striker is now in charge of the France Under 21 side
- Henry hailed Man City boss Guardiola for ‘opening his eyes’ in football
Thierry Henry has credited former Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger and Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola for helping shape his managerial career.
The 46-year-old got his tenure as France Under 21 head coach off to a winning start on Friday evening in a 4-1 win against Denmark that saw young striker Elye Wahi strike twice.
Henry is attempting to get his coaching career back on track after enduring mixed stints in charge at Ligue 1 outfit Monaco and Canadian side Montreal.
He decided to take up the reigns within the national team set-up after admitting he had been left ‘unfulfilled’ in his television punditry duties and is now targeting a revival in the dugout.
The former Arsenal striker was coached by Gunners legend, Wenger, during his time in North London before working with Guardiola as the Spaniard hailed in a new era of success at Barcelona.
Thierry Henry is attempting to get his managerial career back on-track with France
Henry previously starred as one of the best strikers in the world with Arsenal
Henry (right) praised the impact that Arsene Wenger (left) has had on his managerial career
After cementing his status as one of football’s greatest-ever strikers during his playing days, Henry revealed the pair had moulded his tactical decision-making.
‘Being a manager is about asking the question: can you make your players more intelligent, understand football a bit better?,’ Henry told Telefoot.
‘Let’s use Pep Guardiola as an example. I thought I was good at football but when I arrived there at Barcelona I just thought, ‘Wow, what is he talking about?’
‘Arsene Wenger, when I arrived to Arsenal, opened up my spirit and my mind as a continuation of what I learned at the academy at Clairefontaine. Pep Guardiola opened my eyes.’
Henry (right) insists Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola (left) ‘opened his eyes’
The Frenchman (pictured) believes Guardiola helped him ‘understand’ different tactics
‘It was him that made me understand that pressing was good. As an attacker in general, and you know this week, that you don’t normally want to do these things,’ he said.
‘But then I developed a taste for pressing high and appreciate another area of the game,’ he added.
Henry’s development at Barcelona saw him score 49 goals during a three-year stay at the Nou Camp before departing for American MLS side New York Red Bulls.
France will get their European Under 21 Championship qualification campaign underway against Slovenia on Monday, September 11.
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