Arsenal legend steps down as coach of MLS club due to family reasons

Arsenal legend steps down as coach of MLS club due to family reasons

Babajide Orevba, Akan Anwankwo
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:44 PM

- Henry has been Montreal Impact boss for slightly over a year

- The Frenchman however tendered his resignation, citing the need to be close to his family

- His wife and children stay in London and the 42-year old says he endured a difficult 2020 being away from his people

- His resignation comes amid heavy links to the Bournemouth job

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Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has stepped down as coach of MLS side Montreal Impact.

Thierry Henry steps down as Montreal Impact boss 'for family reasons'
Henry cited family as the reason he decided to step down from the job. Photo by Alex Menendez
Source: Getty Images

The club confirmed Henry’s departure through a statement on their club website, divulging that the Frenchman left the post for “family reasons”.

CF Montréal Sporting Director, Olivier Renard as quoted in the club’s website:

“Thierry's departure is unfortunate and premature because this was very promising, but he informed me of his desire to be back with his family because the situation was and remains very difficult for both him and his family."

Henry was appointed head coach of Montreal Impact in November 2019 and guided the club to their first playoffs since 2016 after a record of eight wins, 12 losses and two draws.

He also guided the side to Concacaf Champions League.

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The 42-year old also released a lengthy statement explaining his decision to leave Montreal Impact.

According to Henry, he endured a “difficult 2020 due to the pandemic” and was unable to see his two kids Tea and Tristan for months.

“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 will be no different. The separation is too much 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 Montréal."

One interesting bit about Arsenal’s all-time goalscorer’s resignation from the MLS job is the fact that it comes barely a week after he was heavily linked to a move to Championship side Bournemouth, who are currently without a manager since the dismissal of Jason Tindall.

If he takes the Bournemouth job, he will be only two hours away from his wife and kids, who currently reside in London, UK.

Henry worked as Monaco's boss for three months in 2018 after a stint as Roberto Martinez’s assistant with the Belgian national team.

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Meanwhile, Legit.ng had earlier reported that Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has been tipped to become the next manager of Championship side Bournemouth, Daily Mail.

The Cherries have been without a manager since the sacking of Jason Tindall earlier in the month and the current boss of Montreal Impact boss is among the candidates vying for the position.

Henry's former teammate Patrick Vieira and former Huddersfield Town manager David Wagner are also in the running for the top job.

Akan Anwankwo is a sports editor with Legit.ng and has 7 years of field and office experience. He graduated from the University of Lagos in 2014 with a Bachelors degree in English and Literature Studies. Akan intends to educate, inform and make readers passionate about sports. Learn more about him on his Twitter handle: @ anwankwo_akan

Authors
Babajide Orevba photo
Babajide Orevba
Babajide Orevba is a CAF accredited Nigerian journalist and HOD of the Local Desk with over 10 years of experience in media landscape.He studied NCE Political Science/Social Studies, AOCOED.
Akan Anwankwo photo
Akan Anwankwo
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