Thierry Henry has been appointed by AS Monaco as the Ligue 1 club’s new head coach, replacing Leonardo Jardim.
Sources told ESPN FC on Friday that the 41-year-old would sign a three-year contract, and he has now committed to take charge of the club where he began his professional playing career until 2021.
The former Arsenal and Barcelona forward will officially begin work on Monday, the club said in a statement.
Henry, who won the Ligue 1 title at the Stade Louis II in 1997, told the club’s official website: ”In the first place, I thank AS Monaco for giving me the opportunity to coach the team of this club which is so special to me.
“I am very happy to come back to AS Monaco and extremely determined to meet the challenges ahead. I cannot wait to meet the players to start working together.”
#HesComingHome #ForeverMonaco pic.twitter.com/GuSYXnMt4u
— AS Monaco EN (@AS_Monaco_EN) October 13, 2018
Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev added: “Thierry is both aware of the task ahead and eager to start his new job. He can count on our trust and all our support to bring a new dynamic to the team and carry out the mission.”
Henry, who started his career at Monaco and won the Ligue 1 title in 1997, had been serving as an assistant to Roberto Martinez with Belgium and was on the bench for Friday’s 2-1 UEFA Nations League victory over Switzerland.
He had previously been linked with the job at Aston Villa, who named Dean Smith as boss on Thursday.
“It is with great pride that I am delighted to announce that I have accepted the position to become the manager of AS Monaco FC,” Henry wrote in a post on his Twitter account.
“I was fortunate to receive some very attractive offers over the last few months but Monaco will always be close to my heart.
“Having started my football career with this great club, it seems like fate that I will now begin my managerial career here too.
“I’m incredibly excited to be given this opportunity but now the hard work must begin. Can’t wait.”
Monaco, Ligue 1 champions two seasons ago, are in the relegation zone after winning just one of their first nine matches this term.
Sources told ESPN FC on Tuesday that Jardim was to be sacked and replaced by Henry and, after the Portuguese coach’s dismissal was confirmed on Thursday, the way was clear for Henry to be hired.
Monaco travel to play Strasbourg on Saturday, Oct. 20.