Thierry Henry lifts lid on his Arsenal exit, reveals future plan

Thierry Henry has insisted that nothing has changed about his love for Arsenal and says that he wants to manage the Gunners in the future after his departure from his coaching role at the club.

Henry’s exit from the north London outfit and his role with the Under-18 side came after manager Arsene Wenger decided that he could not combine his job as a television pundit with his youth coaching role.

The former Arsenal captain had been working with youth players at the club as part of his Uefa A Licence course, but was not prepared to give up his media work with Sky Sports.

However, the former striker has moved to clarify how the move unfolded and insists that he would love to take charge of Arsenal at some point in the future.

Speaking in an interview with The Sun, Henry said: “Nothing will change my love for Arsenal.

“First and foremost, I wasn’t an employee. I was allowed to go and pass my badges there.

“This decision was taken months ago, but I guess it came out now because the new season started and I wasn’t there. I knew I wouldn’t be staying on the following year.

“I have a current job. In my spare time, for free, I wanted to impart my knowledge and experiences in the game to the youngsters, while completing my coaching hours and also gaining knowledge to pass my pro licence.

“This is how it is, it was a dilemma that wasn’t really a dilemma.

“I have to work. I respect the decision and if I can’t complete my hours there, then I will do it somewhere else. It isn’t an issue.”

Asked about potentially taking charge of Arsenal, he replied: “I would like to manage, but I am far from it.

“First and foremost, make sure you have everything, all the badges. Then we will see.”

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Arsenal finished in 10th place in the Premier League table last season, 10 points behind eventual champions Leicester City.